a specific reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inquire about or specify a particular justification or explanation for something. Example: "Can you provide a specific reason for your decision to change the project timeline?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a specific reason for this.

The New York Times

There is a specific reason for this ad hoc arrangement.

The New Yorker

Neither Mr. Huckabee nor the company gave a specific reason for the move.

The New York Times

He did not mention Blackwater or Iraq, nor cite a specific reason for leaving.

The New York Times

Yes, but be sure you have a specific reason for doing so.

Harvard University

Neither expressed a specific reason for breaking their silence on the Obama administration's decisions Tuesday night.

The New York Times

"There's a specific reason for everything in the antidoping process, based on intelligence," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump may have had a specific reason for adding to the list of 11 potential nominees he released in May.

The Guardian

A department analyst said there were still some hurricane-related claims in the data, but did not cite a specific reason for the weekly increase.

The New York Times

In his resignation letter, Carter, 59, simply stated that "it is time for me to go" but did not give a specific reason for leaving.

The Washington Post

Any intercepted communications regarding the nuclear accident would not have been given immediate attention without a specific reason for doing so, the experts said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific reason for", ensure the reason is clearly articulated and relevant to the context. Avoid vague or general statements.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a specific reason for" without actually elaborating on the reason. Providing the reason adds clarity and value to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific reason for" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces the idea that there is a particular, identifiable cause or justification for something. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms this pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific reason for" is a commonly used phrase that signals a particular justification or cause. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, scientific publications, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly articulate the specific reason to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases such as "a distinct explanation for" or "a particular justification for" can provide similar meanings. Be mindful of overusing the phrase without providing the necessary details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct explanation for

Replaces 'reason' with 'explanation' and 'specific' with 'distinct', emphasizing clarity and difference.

a particular justification for

Substitutes 'specific' with 'particular' and 'reason' with 'justification', focusing on the act of providing reasons.

a precise motive for

Replaces 'reason' with 'motive' and 'specific' with 'precise', suggesting a clear and intentional cause.

a concrete basis for

Substitutes 'reason' with 'basis' and 'specific' with 'concrete', highlighting the tangible foundation of something.

a definitive rationale for

Replaces 'reason' with 'rationale' and 'specific' with 'definitive', focusing on a conclusive explanation.

a compelling cause for

Replaces 'reason' with 'cause' and 'specific' with 'compelling', suggesting a strong and persuasive reason.

a justifiable ground for

Substitutes 'reason' with 'ground' and adds 'justifiable', indicating a valid basis for something.

a clear-cut incentive for

Replaces 'reason' with 'incentive' and 'specific' with 'clear-cut', focusing on motivation.

an explicit account for

Replaces 'reason' with 'account' and 'specific' with 'explicit', focusing on a detailed and unambiguous explanation.

a targeted purpose for

Substitutes 'reason' with 'purpose' and 'specific' with 'targeted', implying a focused intention.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific reason for" to introduce a particular justification or cause for an action, decision, or situation. For example, "There is "a specific reason for" this ad hoc arrangement."

What are some alternatives to "a specific reason for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a distinct explanation for", "a particular justification for", or "a precise motive for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a specific reason for"?

While 'reason' inherently implies some level of specificity, using "a specific reason for" can emphasize that there's a clear and particular cause, distinguishing it from general or vague explanations.

When is it appropriate to use "a specific reason for" instead of "the reason for"?

Use "a specific reason for" when you want to highlight that you are referring to one particular reason among potentially many. "The reason for" is more general, while "a specific reason for" emphasizes a focused explanation.