an overriding reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overriding reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a reason that takes precedence over others in a discussion or decision-making process. Example: "The committee decided to approve the proposal because there was an overriding reason to support the new initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But an overriding reason is that some parents simply can't be contained.

The New York Times

Rivers said that he thought Rondo's reputation was an overriding reason for the severity of the penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

Clinton has come to believe that there is an overriding reason that she has aroused such resentment: her gender.

The New Yorker

Even if the allegations are true, there's an overriding reason to support him: There is no alternative.

The New Yorker

Dr. Hern added that an overriding reason why he does not want to procure fetal tissue is the "unbelievable harassment" he gets from anti-abortion groups.

The New York Times

If one already has a history with a vendor and are familiar with using its components, tools, and design flows, then one should stay within that vendor's offerings unless there is an overriding reason for change.

The Design Warrior's Guide to FPGAs Devices, Tools and Flows

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But it was for a third overriding reason that I came to feel that a film of Lipstadt's fascinating book cried out to be made.

The Guardian - Books

In an 1835 opera based on a gothic novel by Walter Scott, Mitchell takes plenty of liberties, it's true, of which the addition of an extra and overriding reason for Lucia's desperate state of mind is perhaps the greatest, certainly the most unsettling.

The Guardian - Music

It's a highly stressful profession, as the slightest error by an anesthesiologists can result in a fatality, but the overriding reason why anesthesiologists are more vulnerable to drug problems than other physicians is because the main tools of their job are extremely potent opioids.

Vice

Money -- in particular the large financial packages from merchant banks that also offer stimulating work in the global economy -- is proving an important, though not overriding, reason for officials to leave.

The New York Times

A major if not overriding reason for the secret sale of American arms to Iran in the last year and a half was to obtain the release of the hostages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overriding reason", ensure it's the most significant factor influencing the decision or situation. This helps clarify the core justification and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an overriding reason" when other factors are equally important. Overstating the reason can weaken your argument and misrepresent the actual decision-making process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overriding reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most important or decisive justification for a decision, action, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase clearly indicates the primary motivation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overriding reason" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the primary justification for a decision or action. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples shows it's most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the identified reason genuinely outweighs other factors to maintain clarity and accuracy. Consider related phrases like "a chief rationale" or "a dominant motive" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary justification

Replaces 'reason' with 'justification' and 'overriding' with 'primary', focusing on the act of justifying something.

a chief rationale

Uses 'rationale' instead of 'reason' and 'chief' instead of 'overriding', suggesting the fundamental logic behind a decision.

a dominant motive

Substitutes 'reason' with 'motive' and 'overriding' with 'dominant', highlighting the driving force behind an action.

a compelling argument

Replaces 'reason' with 'argument' and 'overriding' with 'compelling', emphasizing the persuasive nature of the reason.

a pivotal factor

Changes 'reason' to 'factor' and 'overriding' to 'pivotal', indicating a crucial element influencing an outcome.

the main consideration

Replaces "reason" with "consideration" focusing on what is taken into account.

the most important factor

Replaces "overriding" with "most important" stressing the significance of the factor.

a critical determinant

Emphasizes the decisive influence of a factor.

a decisive consideration

Emphasizes that the consideration leads to a firm conclusion or decision.

the key incentive

Highlights the motivational aspect behind a reason.

FAQs

How can I use "an overriding reason" in a sentence?

Use "an overriding reason" to emphasize the most important justification for a decision or action. For example, "The company chose to invest in renewable energy because there was "an overriding reason" to reduce its carbon footprint".

What are some alternatives to "an overriding reason"?

Alternatives include "a primary justification", "a chief rationale", or "a dominant motive", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an overriding reason" in formal writing?

Yes, "an overriding reason" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and directly conveys the importance of a particular reason.

What's the difference between "an overriding reason" and "a contributing factor"?

"An overriding reason" implies a primary or decisive factor, while "a contributing factor" suggests one of several elements influencing a decision. The former is more significant than the latter.