alleged reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alleged reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reason that is claimed or asserted but not yet proven or confirmed. Example: "The alleged reason for his resignation was a disagreement with the board over company policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Why, even now the alleged reason which, they say, made you turn back from my house — having become suspicious, forsooth, at the depth of the lane12 — see how flimsy it is! 13 For if that is what saved me, it is high time from now on, as if the city were an armed camp, to occupy the difficult terrain and the lofty or precipitous positions!

University of Chicago

Mr. Byrne, who was late to his own party (traffic was the alleged reason) is one of four owners.

The New York Times

A MI5 memo said: "Their alleged reason for the call was to apologise to Lord Boothby for any inconvenience caused to him over his cheques.

Independent

I know the alleged reason for sea-bathing is that it makes you feel so well afterwards; but so does any unpleasant experience, merely by force of contrast.

The Guardian - Books

The register and receiver refused to file it, for the alleged reason that the land therein described was the land of the railroad company, as shown by its diagram filed in the department of the interior, February 21 , 1872 and that his alleged prior settlement was illegal, the lands not being subject to preemption settlement by reason of the Indian treaty.

Cornell University

Mr. Ryan is right that "when we give more families a choice, more students succeed". Uncertainty about the future of the program is the alleged reason the Education Department has, for several years, put a hold on funds that would allow additional students into the program.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In that same vein, determining whether to move forward with a divorce is also a decision that needs to be made wisely as well and should be made based on legitimate reasoning, unlike the alleged reasons mentioned above.

Huffington Post

Main outcome measures Sources of information mentioned by the author of the article, the accuracy and completeness of data presented on caesarean section, and alleged reasons why women would prefer to deliver though caesarean section.

British Medical Journal

His disapproval of the terrorist repression had become so strong that he withdrew from political life, alleging reasons of health or of family.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(2) For any question in reason-based bioethics, a systematic review of reasons will identify a broader variety of published reasons, alleged implications of reasons and attitudes taken to reasons than searches typically conducted by those writing in reason-based bioethics or by the authors of official reports.

Bioethics

He annulled the election, won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, for alleged security reasons that he has never bothered to detail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters or accusations, using "alleged reason" is appropriate to maintain neutrality and avoid implying guilt or fault before it has been proven.

Common error

While "alleged reason" often implies doubt, it's not always negative. Sometimes, it's simply used to denote a reason that has been stated but requires further investigation. Avoid automatically associating it with wrongdoing or deceit.

Linguistic Context

Alleged reason functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It indicates a reason that is claimed or asserted, but not necessarily proven or accepted as true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alleged reason" is a noun phrase correctly used to describe a stated cause, justification, or motive that may or may not be true. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals that while grammatically sound, its appropriateness hinges on the context. It is frequently found in news reporting and academic writing, where neutrality and precision are essential, and in legal settings. Using "alleged reason" correctly involves understanding its implications of uncertainty or doubt. Alternatives like "purported explanation" or "stated justification" offer similar nuances, depending on the desired level of formality or skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purported explanation

Emphasizes the act of explaining something presented as true but potentially false.

stated justification

Highlights the formal declaration of a reason, which may or may not be the actual motivation.

professed motive

Focuses on the declared intention behind an action, which could be sincere or disingenuous.

ostensible cause

Draws attention to a cause presented outwardly, which may conceal the true underlying factor.

suggested rationale

Highlights a proposed or hinted reason that might not be fully articulated or accepted.

asserted grounds

Emphasizes the confident declaration of a basis or reason, irrespective of its validity.

presumed reason

Focuses on a reason that is supposed to be the case but without proof.

supposed cause

Highlights that a cause has been presented, but its truthfulness remains uncertain.

hinted motivation

Focuses on a motivation that is suggested, but not stated directly.

implied justification

Emphasizes a justification that is communicated indirectly.

FAQs

What does "alleged reason" mean?

The phrase "alleged reason" refers to a reason that has been stated or claimed, but whose truthfulness or validity has not been proven or fully established. It often implies a degree of doubt or skepticism about the stated reason.

How to use "alleged reason" in a sentence?

You can use "alleged reason" to describe a motive, cause, or justification that is presented but not yet confirmed, such as, "The "alleged reason" for his departure was a disagreement with the CEO, but sources say it was due to poor performance."

What are some alternatives to "alleged reason"?

Alternatives to "alleged reason" include "purported reason", "stated justification", or "professed motive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "alleged reason"?

Using "alleged reason" is most appropriate when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about the truthfulness of a stated reason. It's also suitable in legal and journalistic contexts to avoid implying guilt or fault before it is proven.