a solid reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that there is a strong justification or rationale for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee needs to provide a solid reason for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Still, the findings seemed to offer a solid reason for healthy women to take a drug for the rest of their lives.

The New York Times

10.25pm BST Predictions Yesterday's (wrong) prediction wasn't really based on anything, but this time I actually have a solid reason for picking the Rays.

The Guardian - Sport

Part of building a solid bridge with the U.S. is having a solid reason for being here, other than money.

TechCrunch

It was less so competition than a solid reason for Lifetime to earn an increased budget.

Huffington Post

Esposito even had a solid reason for when it comes to the dreaded "no-no" in the world of policing, and that is quotas.

Huffington Post

We can only speculate that if patients were better informed about the chronic damage inevitably caused by exposure to elevated blood pressure, then they would be more inclined to adhere to their advised treatment, since fear of complications was shown to be a solid reason for treatment adherence [ 22].

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I don't think there is any solid reason for the generals to fear for their safety.

The New York Times

But there is fortunately a more solid reason for optimism.

The Economist

We look at firing squads as barbaric, not because we have any solid reasons for believing that lethal injection is more gentle, but only because they remind us of the past, and we believe as an article of faith that in the past people were less enlightened than we are.

The New York Times

Though Mr. Cullen has admitted to killing 30 to 40 people during his career, he has not provided details and prosecutors and the police say that so far they have solid reason for suspicion in only a few cases.

The New York Times

Boston Scientific gave no solid reason for Mr. Elliott's decision to step down, but quoted him as saying it was "time for me to permanently pass the baton to a long-term C.E.O".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If appropriate, follow "a solid reason for" with specific details or evidence to further strengthen your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid reason for" when the justification is weak or poorly supported. Overstating the strength of the reason can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid reason for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It indicates a strong justification or rationale. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showcasing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid reason for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions to introduce a strong justification or rationale. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media sources, with secondary usage in Science and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the reason is genuinely strong and well-supported, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives such as "a compelling justification for" or "a valid rationale for" can be used to add nuance. The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling justification for

Replaces "reason" with "justification" and "solid" with "compelling", emphasizing the convincing nature of the rationale.

a valid rationale for

Uses "rationale" instead of "reason" and "valid" in place of "solid", highlighting the legitimacy and soundness of the reasoning.

a sound basis for

Substitutes "reason" with "basis" and "solid" with "sound", focusing on the firm foundation underlying the action or decision.

a strong motive for

Replaces "reason" with "motive" and "solid" with "strong", emphasizing the driving force behind a particular choice or action.

a legitimate ground for

Employs "ground" instead of "reason" and "legitimate" in place of "solid", underscoring the lawfulness or permissibility of something.

a well-founded cause for

Uses "cause" instead of "reason" and "well-founded" in place of "solid", pointing to the substantiated or justified nature of the cause.

an adequate explanation for

Replaces "reason" with "explanation" and "solid" with "adequate", emphasizing the sufficiency of the provided account.

a sufficient justification for

Uses "justification" instead of "reason" and "sufficient" in place of "solid", highlighting that enough reasoning exists to take a certain action.

a tangible incentive for

Swaps "reason" with "incentive" and "solid" with "tangible" to highlight that something is driving a certain action.

a substantive argument for

Employs "argument" instead of "reason" and "substantive" in place of "solid", underscoring the importance and quality of the point being argued.

FAQs

How can I use "a solid reason for" in a sentence?

Use "a solid reason for" to introduce a compelling justification or rationale. For instance, "The data provides "a solid reason for" investing in renewable energy".

What's a good alternative to "a solid reason for"?

Alternatives include "a compelling justification for", "a valid rationale for", or "a sound basis for" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a solid reason for" or "solid reasons for"?

Use "a solid reason for" when referring to a single, primary justification. Use "solid reasons for" when presenting multiple justifications. The choice depends on whether you're offering one main reason or several.

What makes a reason "solid"?

A "solid" reason is one that is well-supported by evidence, logically sound, and convincing. It's a justification that holds up under scrutiny and provides a strong basis for a decision or action.