a viable reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"a viable reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing the merits of an idea or proposal, or when referring to a reason for or against something that is reasonable. For example, "The proposal to move the company to a new location has many valid advantages, but without a viable reason to do so, the plan may not be worth pursuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But, unlike Bering, who finds this a relief, Camus considers it a viable reason to terminate his existence.

The New Yorker

The following year appellate courts in New York State for the first time accepted tenants' arguments in two cases that emotional support was a viable reason to keep a pet despite a building's no-pets policy.

The New York Times

Neither explanation will be a viable reason for missing the playoffs this year, especially with a squad that is faster, more cosmopolitan and deeper than in 2015, seemingly better equipped to play the sort of direct, counter-attacking football that worked in the short-term for Coyle at Bolton and Burnley and for 2015 Western Conference winners FC Dallas.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor can lack of funds, sometimes cited as an explanation for widespread acquiescence in shoddy housing, be a viable reason, the professor said, pointing out that earthquake safety measures add no more than 3 to 5 percent to the cost of construction of a house.

The New York Times

Tax evasion by hiding income in Swiss accounts is no longer a viable reason.

Forbes

MP3Tunes gives me a viable reason to keep just buying music outright and downloading it.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Whether Andean populist outliers Bolivia or Ecuador really present any viable reason for hope at this point is open to doubt and that is putting it mildly.

Huffington Post

But Mr. MacKeigan also said that if the most consumers are to accept the DoubleClick model, the company "will have to give them a viable economic reason to be tracked".

The New York Times

There is no viable reason to continue to hold his remains hostage.

The Guardian - Opinion

The American corporation that Bell works for is mining Helium-3, a source of clean energy that really does exist on the moon and which Jones believes is "the only financially viable reason to go" there.

The Guardian - Film

More importantly, the commercials demonstrate the one viable reason as to why you may want to try Google+ in the first place, given that much of the network is an engineer's re-creation of Facebook: Hangouts.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a viable reason", ensure the reason is not only possible but also practical and sustainable within the given context.

Common error

Avoid presenting a reason as "a viable reason" if it lacks substantial evidence or has obvious drawbacks. Ensure the reason's practicality is well-supported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a viable reason" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It identifies a reason that is both practical and feasible. Ludwig provides examples where it's used in contexts of justification and decision-making.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a viable reason" is a noun phrase used to describe a justification that is both practical and likely to succeed. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appears most frequently in news and media, scientific articles, and wiki content. It conveys a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for various contexts where reasoned explanations are required. When using this phrase, ensure the reason is not only possible but also sustainable and well-supported. Consider alternatives like "a valid justification" or "a credible motive" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid justification

Emphasizes the legitimacy and defensibility of the reason.

a sound explanation

Highlights the rationality and logic behind the reason.

a credible motive

Focuses on the believability and persuasiveness of the reason.

a legitimate basis

Underscores the lawfulness or acceptability of the reason.

a defensible ground

Stresses the ability to argue for and protect the reason.

a reasonable cause

Suggests a practical and sensible reason.

a justifiable pretext

Highlights the defensibility of the reason, even if potentially concealing the true motive.

an acceptable rationale

Focuses on the widespread agreement with the reason.

a plausible argument

Emphasizes the surface-level believability of the reason.

a compelling rationale

Highlights the convincing nature of the reason.

FAQs

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

Use "a viable reason" to introduce a justification or explanation that is both practical and likely to succeed. For example, "The company needs "a viable reason" to invest in the new technology".

What are some alternatives to saying "a viable reason"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid justification", "a credible motive", or "a sound explanation" depending on the context.

Is "a viable reason" formal or informal language?

"A viable reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language should match the intended tone.

What's the difference between "a viable reason" and "a plausible reason"?

"A viable reason" suggests the reason is practical and workable, while "a plausible reason" simply means the reason is believable or seemingly true, without necessarily being practical.