chief reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary cause or motivation behind something. Example: "The chief reason for the project's success was the team's dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The chief reason for the company's survival?

The New York Times

The chief reason for Mr. Chafee's troubles appears to be Rhode Island's dismal economy.

The New York Times

The chief reason for holding stocks is to smooth out bumps in the supply chain.

The Economist

The church says the chief reason for this upsurge is the revised law itself.

The Economist

His friendship with Margot had been their chief reason for coming to Nice the first time.

The New Yorker

But the chief reason for the primal drive to build forts?

The New York Times

But my chief reason for hesitation is, who wants to grade Joe anyway?

The New York Times - Books

Berlin zoo cited financial concerns as the chief reason for the decision.

The Independent

Immigrant or hipster, there's a chief reason for choosing Philadelphia over New York: Cost of living.

The New York Times

The committee cited Zoabi's participation in the flotilla as the chief reason for her disqualification.

The Guardian

The chief reason for the overall slowdown was much slower growth in spending on prescription drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief reason for", ensure it accurately reflects the most significant cause or motivation. Avoid using it when multiple factors contribute equally.

Common error

Avoid using "chief reason for" when the described reason is just one of many significant factors. Ensure that the reason truly outweighs other contributing elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief reason for" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the primary cause, motive, or justification for a particular event, action, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chief reason for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the primary cause or motivation behind something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "main cause of" or "primary motive behind", "chief reason for" remains a clear and effective choice. It is essential to ensure that the identified reason is genuinely the most significant factor and not merely one of many contributing elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main cause of

Focuses on the causation aspect, similar to "chief reason for" but with a more direct emphasis on cause and effect.

leading cause of

Highlights the factor that precedes and triggers an event.

primary motive behind

Emphasizes the underlying motivation, shifting the focus from reason to intent.

overriding consideration for

Suggests a reason that takes precedence over all other factors.

principal basis for

Highlights the foundation or justification, suggesting a more formal or logical reasoning.

prime driver of

Implies a strong force or influence that propels a particular outcome.

central explanation for

Focuses on providing an account or understanding, suitable when clarifying a complex situation.

foremost purpose of

Shifts from reason to intended goal or objective.

major impetus for

Highlights the initial force or stimulus that initiates a particular action or event.

key factor in

Identifies a crucial element contributing to an outcome, emphasizing influence rather than direct causation.

FAQs

How can I use "chief reason for" in a sentence?

The phrase "chief reason for" is used to indicate the main cause or primary motivation behind something. For example, "The "chief reason for" the project's delay was lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "chief reason for"?

You can use alternatives such as "main cause of", "primary motive behind", or "principal basis for" depending on the context.

Is "chief reason for" formal or informal?

The phrase "chief reason for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "principal basis for".

What's the difference between "chief reason for" and "a reason for"?

"Chief reason for" indicates the most important reason, whereas "a reason for" simply suggests one of possibly many reasons. Using "chief" emphasizes the primary cause or motivation.