a sufficient reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sufficient reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the justification or rationale behind a decision, action, or belief. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we need to establish a sufficient reason for the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Because high unemployment apparently isn't a sufficient reason).

The New York Times

I can't imagine being a sufficient reason for the disruption.

The New York Times - Books

Logical inconsistency is not a sufficient reason to change the law.

The New York Times - Magazine

But that is not a sufficient reason to spend £205bn on weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not everybody thought that was a sufficient reason to begin giving teenagers tastes of wine.

The New York Times

Violating consumer expectations around privacy is probably itself a sufficient reason for intervention.

Stanford University

Each time, it was spicy, sweet and invigorating, a sufficient reason to fly to Texas.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The mere tendency of speech to encourage unlawful acts is not a sufficient reason for banning it," the justice said.

The New York Times

And the Sixth Circuit held that this was a sufficient reason for delay, and we don't deny this.

Cornell University

This is a sufficient reason why I should venture to lay my reflections before you, though under the disadvantages of distance and partial knowledge.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not a sufficient reason to introduce into this country a kind of judicialised internment that is unprecedented outside war-time in the democratic era.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sufficient reason", ensure the reason you provide fully explains the action or decision you're justifying. Avoid vague or incomplete explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "a sufficient reason" when the provided reason is only one of several contributing factors. Instead, clarify if it's the primary or only reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sufficient reason" functions as a noun phrase that serves to introduce or identify a justification that is adequate or enough to explain or validate an action, belief, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is frequently used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sufficient reason" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an adequate justification or explanation for an action, belief, or decision. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure that the reason provided fully and clearly justifies the matter at hand. While alternatives like "an adequate reason" or "a valid rationale" exist, choosing "a sufficient reason" implies that the explanation is not only good but meets a necessary threshold. Be mindful of overstating the sufficiency of a reason when other factors contribute significantly. The wide use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adequate reason

Replaces "sufficient" with "adequate", suggesting a reason that meets the minimum requirements.

a valid rationale

Substitutes "reason" with "rationale", emphasizing the logical basis of the explanation.

a good enough reason

Uses a more informal tone by employing "good enough" instead of "sufficient".

a compelling reason

Replaces "sufficient" with "compelling", highlighting the persuasiveness of the reason.

an acceptable justification

Focuses on the acceptability of the justification rather than its sufficiency.

an adequate basis

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the reason, using "basis" instead.

a justifiable cause

Shifts the focus to the justifiability of the cause, using "cause" as the reason.

a legitimate ground

Uses "legitimate ground" to suggest a reason that is legally or formally acceptable.

a sound explanation

Replaces "reason" with "explanation", emphasizing the clarity and coherence of the justification.

a reasonable motive

Focuses on the motivation behind the action, presenting it as reasonable.

FAQs

How can I use "a sufficient reason" in a sentence?

Use "a sufficient reason" to introduce an explanation that fully justifies an action or decision. For example, "The potential benefits were "a sufficient reason" to proceed with the experiment".

What phrases can I use instead of "a sufficient reason"?

You can use alternatives like "an adequate reason", "a valid rationale", or "a compelling reason", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sufficient reason" or "good reason"?

"Sufficient reason" is generally more formal and implies a complete justification, while "good reason" is more informal and can imply a less complete or less critical justification. The better choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "a sufficient reason" and "the only reason"?

"A sufficient reason" implies that the given reason is enough to justify something, but other reasons might also exist. "The only reason" indicates that no other factors contributed to the decision or action.