critical reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an important or essential justification for a decision or action. Example: "The critical reason for implementing the new policy was to enhance employee productivity and morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most critical reason has been resources.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fuzzy definitions were a critical reason.

Harvard Business Review

The most critical reason Mr. Hogan avoided the range, however, was wind direction.

The New York Times - Sports

That's one critical reason for preserving habitats in the regions of the plants' origin.

The New York Times

The most critical reason is mianzi, or "face," as it is usually translated in English.

The New York Times

Real estate brokers and landlords say employment growth is the critical reason behind the market shift.

The New York Times

And they say quality-control lapses, like those some workers mentioned, could be a critical reason tire treads shear off.

The New York Times

Safety, the management of traffic to reduce or eliminate accidents, is the other critical reason for traffic control.

Britannica

Scholars withdrew from the decisions of church authorities and were willing to subject themselves only to critical reason and experience.

Britannica

There was another critical reason: medals won wherever by Great Britain would not go to other nations, denying them their own positive dynamic.

The Guardian - Sport

However, there is a critical reason why these ecosystems need to be protected – they could turn out to be our salvation in the face of climate change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "critical reason" with a concise explanation of why it is so important.

Common error

Avoid labeling a contributing factor as the "critical reason" if it is not the primary determinant. Overstating the importance of a secondary reason can weaken your argument and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary or most important justification for something. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples illustrating its role in pinpointing key determinants across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the most important justification or cause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and appears across a wide range of contexts, most notably in news, media, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards formality and is most effective when used to highlight a truly decisive factor. When writing, remember to ensure that the reason you identify as "critical" is genuinely the primary determinant to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential cause

Focuses on the indispensability of the cause, similar to the criticality of the reason.

primary motive

Highlights the main motivation, shifting the focus slightly from reason to motivation.

key rationale

Emphasizes the logical basis, akin to the 'reason' aspect, while highlighting its importance.

main justification

Stresses the act of justifying, relevant when the reason serves as a defense or explanation.

chief consideration

Underscores the aspect of careful thought and deliberation, subtly altering the focus.

fundamental basis

Indicates the underlying principle, broadening the scope from a specific reason to a foundational element.

principal ground

Similar to 'basis', but conveys a sense of established or accepted reasoning.

prime factor

Shifts the focus to a contributing element rather than a singular reason.

significant determinant

Highlights influence and effect, rather than the reason itself.

underlying imperative

Emphasizes a driving necessity, which may be less about logical reasoning and more about compulsion.

FAQs

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

You can use "critical reason" to highlight the most important justification or explanation for a decision, action, or phenomenon. For example, "The "critical reason" for the project's success was the team's dedication."

What are some alternatives to using "critical reason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "essential cause", "primary motive", or "key rationale" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "most critical reason"?

Yes, using "most critical reason" is generally redundant because "critical" already implies the highest level of importance. It's better to simply use ""critical reason"".

What's the difference between "critical reason" and "important reason"?

"Critical reason" suggests that the reason is essential and decisive, while "important reason" indicates that the reason is significant but not necessarily the most crucial factor. The former carries more weight.