be the primary reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be the primary reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main cause or factor behind a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The lack of funding may be the primary reason for the project's delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That appears to be the primary reason villagers were able to stay alive for weeks without aid.

The New York Times

Personal communication in the form of e-mail and instant messaging continues to be the primary reason that more than a third of those Internet users log on.

The New York Times

It could be the primary reason why so many plants may be looking or reacting quite differently this spring and summer.

The New York Times

''The company feels a lot more connected,'' Raghunathan says, and this connection — rather than efficient decision-making — seems to be the primary reason for his enthusiasm about Slack.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sperm competition is thought to be the primary reason why males offer nuptial gifts (such as food) to females or allow females to cannibalize them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nor will lawmakers' qualms about breaching the First Amendment be the primary reason that the bills will languish, though there is considerable doubt about how much can be done constitutionally.

The New York Times

His study and others suggest that tax shelters may be the primary reason for this difference, which is costing the government as much as $54 billion in taxes each year.

The New York Times

It bears mentioning that the people who were hoping for a more nuanced approach probably voted for Senator John Kerry, and that Mr. Kerry's more nuanced approach may be the primary reason he lost the election.

The New York Times

Better wages no longer seem to be the primary reason why Poles come to or stay in Britain (in terms of growth, the Polish economy is in a much better state than the British).

The Guardian - Opinion

But settling the dispute has been beyond reach, and recent charges of torture, rape and killing appear to be the primary reason public anger has not subsided, political analysts said.

The New York Times

More than anything else, a paragraph on Page 2,129 of the Senate health care bill may be the primary reason Mr. Obama is now fighting for the survival of his top domestic priority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be the primary reason", ensure that the context clearly supports this claim and that other contributing factors are appropriately acknowledged to maintain accuracy.

Common error

Avoid presenting "the primary reason" as the only reason. Acknowledge that situations often have multiple contributing factors, even if one is dominant. This strengthens your argument by showing balanced consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be the primary reason" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying the subject with the most important cause or justification. Ludwig AI supports this, providing multiple examples in various contexts where the phrase serves to pinpoint the main factor influencing a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be the primary reason" is a versatile phrase used to identify the main cause or justification for a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias. While adaptable to various registers, ensuring contextual accuracy and acknowledging other contributing factors is key to effective communication. Alternatives such as "be the main reason" or "be the overriding reason" can provide nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the main reason

This is a more common and straightforward alternative indicating the principal cause.

be the major reason

This simply denotes a significant or prominent cause.

be the predominant reason

This emphasizes that the reason is the most common or noticeable one.

be the key reason

This underlines the importance of the reason as essential or crucial.

be the overriding reason

This alternative emphasizes that the reason is more important than others, acting as a final decisive factor.

be the fundamental reason

This highlights that the reason is a basic, underlying cause.

be the basic reason

This emphasizes the underlying nature of the reason, as the starting point or foundation.

be the primary cause

This focuses on the causal relationship, highlighting the initial factor that led to a certain result.

become the primary reason

This suggests a shift where something has recently turned into the main reason.

be the primary motive

This focuses on the underlying intention or goal behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "be the primary reason" in a sentence?

You can use "be the primary reason" to explain the main cause or justification for something. For example, "The lack of funding may "be the primary reason" for the project's delay".

What can I say instead of "be the primary reason"?

You can use alternatives like "be the main cause", "be the chief factor", or "be the overriding reason" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is the primary reason" or "is a primary reason"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is the primary reason" implies that it's the most important reason, while "is a primary reason" suggests it's one of several important reasons. The choice depends on the context and the emphasis you want to convey.

What is the difference between "be the primary reason" and "be the result of"?

"Be the primary reason" explains the cause of something, while "be the result of" describes the effect or outcome. For example, "Low sales were the primary reason for the store closing" (cause), versus "The store closing was the result of low sales" (effect).