discover the reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'discover the reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone investigate or look for the cause or rationale of something. For example: "Let's try to discover the reason why our team has been so unsuccessful lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

In this book, we can all discover the reason.

The New York Times - Books

Then one day, while out on his rounds, he was shocked to discover the  reason for the bull's lack of results.

Independent

Finally i discover the reason for all the excitement about "the red button"." Cheers Gareth for making me look even more ridiculous than I already am.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't you think that several interested companies, be they stock analysts, journalists, hedge fund managers, etc., are busy trying to discover the reason Skilling left?

The New York Times

Majoring in psychology (he keeps a rat maze in his dorm room), he hopes to discover the reason behind the mysterious black holes in his mind.

The New York Times

"This inquiry is going to discover the reason for that, which hopefully will lead to the recommendations from this being genuinely effective.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Leviathan, then, is an attempt to discover the reasons for this briny haunting.

The Guardian - Books

Paul Bereyter, a character based on one of Sebald's childhood teachers, is another late-life suicide, and Sebald sets out to discover the reasons.

The New Yorker

It was not possible to discover the reasons why Chris Jordan, who had bowled with pace and control with the new ball, did not return at the death because Cook failed to appear afterwards to discuss the defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Business travelers do not have to look far to discover the reasons for that success: an almost obsessive drive to slash costs and an equally grim determination to stop self-destructive price-cutting.

The New York Times

The sound field simulations can be used to discover the reasons for this effect.

Applied Adhesion Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discover the reason", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are trying to find the reason for. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "discover the reason" when you actually mean to find an excuse or justification. "Reason" implies a genuine cause, while "excuse" suggests an attempt to avoid blame or responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discover the reason" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of finding or uncovering the explanation or cause of something. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used in contexts where an investigation or search for understanding is involved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discover the reason" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that indicates the act of finding out why something has occurred. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts. While alternatives like "understand the reason" or "uncover the reason" offer nuanced semantic variations, the phrase remains a straightforward and effective way to express the pursuit of understanding. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key, ensuring that the context adequately supports the search for a reason.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand the reason

Focuses on comprehension rather than initial discovery.

uncover the reason

Suggests revealing something that was previously hidden.

determine the cause

More focused on identifying a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

ascertain the motive

Highlights the identification of a driving force behind an action.

find out why

A simpler, more direct way of asking for the explanation.

explore the rationale

More formal and emphasizes the logical basis for something.

investigate the grounds

Implies a more thorough and formal examination.

delve into the explanation

Suggests a deeper, more thorough inquiry into the reason.

get to the bottom of

An idiom that means to discover the truth about something.

seek the explanation

Emphasizes the active pursuit of understanding the reason.

FAQs

How can I use "discover the reason" in a sentence?

You can use "discover the reason" to indicate an investigation into why something happened. For example, "The scientists are working hard to discover the reason for the sudden increase in temperatures."

What's a more formal alternative to "discover the reason"?

A more formal alternative would be to "ascertain the cause" or "investigate the rationale". These options are suitable for academic or professional settings.

Is it correct to say "discover the reasons why"?

While grammatically correct, it's often more concise to simply say "discover the reason". Using "why" can sometimes be redundant, but including it isn't necessarily wrong.

What's the difference between "discover the reason" and "find out the reason"?

"Discover the reason" and "find out the reason" are largely interchangeable. However, "discover" can imply a more in-depth investigation or a more surprising revelation than "find out".