explain your reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain your reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify or provide justification for their thoughts or actions. Example: "In order to understand your decision better, could you please explain your reason for choosing that option?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Explain your reason for leaving the position.

WikiHow

Explain your reason for wanting the item.

WikiHow

Explain your reason for needing time off.

WikiHow

Explain your reason politely, and apologise.

WikiHow

" Select any details that explain your reason for disputing the item.

WikiHow

Explain your reason for requesting an extension and how much time you will need.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Use a cover letter to explain your reasons for switching jobs — something that is difficult to do in a résumé.

The New York Times

It doesn't matter which you opt to help, as long as you explain your reasons and show that you've thought about the question.

The Guardian

You get a letter asking you to explain your reasons: obviously mine wasn't a good enough one so I got sanctioned.

The Guardian

Then, in a short speech (one to two pages), explain your reasons for including these types of information and excluding others".

The New York Times

If you are invited for an interview by an MD/PhD program, members of the admissions committee may want you to explain your reasons.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase in situations where you need a clear and understandable justification, not just a superficial answer.

Common error

Avoid using "explain your reason" when someone is merely trying to avoid blame or responsibility. A reason provides legitimate justification, while an excuse aims to evade accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain your reason" functions as an imperative, directly requesting someone to provide a justification or cause. This is evident in examples from Ludwig where individuals are prompted to clarify their motivations or decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

60%

News & Media

33%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain your reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, prompting individuals to justify their actions or decisions. While it maintains a generally neutral to informal register, it effectively serves the purpose of seeking clarification and understanding. Ludwig's analysis indicates its prevalence in Wiki and News & Media contexts, with alternatives like "justify your rationale" offering more formal substitutes. The most common error is confusing a 'reason' with an 'excuse', where a genuine reason provides legitimate justification, and as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and serves as a useful tool to seek explanations from others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detail the reasons

Requests a complete description of all the reasons involved.

account for your decision

Similar to justify but implies a broader scope, including the decision-making process.

clarify your motive

Focuses on understanding the underlying motivation behind an action or decision.

state your basis

Asks for the fundamental reasons or principles supporting a particular stance.

justify your rationale

Emphasizes a formal request for justification, suitable for academic or professional settings.

give an account of your reasoning

Implies a structured and comprehensive explanation of the thought process.

elucidate your grounds

Offers a more sophisticated and detailed request for explanation.

walk me through your thought process

Requests a step-by-step explanation of the reasoning.

shed light on the rationale behind

More metaphorical, suggests bringing clarity to a potentially obscure or misunderstood reason.

spell out why

Requests a straightforward and explicit explanation, often used when clarity is essential.

FAQs

What does "explain your reason" mean?

The phrase "explain your reason" means to provide a clear and understandable justification or cause for a particular action, belief, or decision.

What are some alternatives to "explain your reason"?

You can use alternatives like "justify your rationale", "clarify your motive", or "detail the reasons" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "explain your reason" or "explain your reasons"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "explain your reason" is used when there's a single, primary justification, while "explain your reasons" is used when there are multiple justifications.

How to use "explain your reason" in a sentence?

You might say, "In order to understand your decision, could you please explain your reason for choosing that option?"