explaining the reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explaining the reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify or provide justification for a particular action, decision, or situation. Example: "In the meeting, she spent a considerable amount of time explaining the reason for the project's delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Location," Connor said, explaining the reason for Johnson's problems.

The New York Times - Sports

A brief statement explaining the reason for wanting to teach as an Associate in Teaching.

Yale University

Cravath's memorandum outlining the payments was blunt in explaining the reason for the decline.

The New York Times

While waiting one of the workmen handed him a slip explaining the reason for the delay.

The New Yorker

Restrict access to the item, leaving the metadata visible, and add a note explaining the reason for the restriction.

Cornell University

"Because of the prices, because we can't get food," he said explaining the reason for the strike.

The New York Times

Additionally, His39 in CBX2 chromodomain interrupted the structured aromatic cage, partly explaining the reason for UNC3866 preferring for binding to CBX7.

Computational Biology and Chemistry

"We did not want to compromise safety," said the minister in explaining the reason for the clauses that scientists called inhibitive.

Cornell University

After dolefully explaining the reason for the switch, the Delta rep said, "Oh, I can't stand U.P.S.!" Do tell, Ms. Delta.

The New York Times

"Healthy growth" is how it described the US market for ADHD products yesterday, explaining the reason for its soaring sales of Vyvanse and Intuniv pills for ADHD.

Independent

"Frankly," Krantz told me later, explaining the reason for his call, "I've never heard of a two-and-a-half-hour opener.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explaining the reason for", ensure that the explanation directly and clearly addresses the cause or rationale behind the subject in question. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid redundant expressions such as "explaining the reason why" because "reason" inherently implies "why". Stick to "explaining the reason" or "explaining why" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining the reason for" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to introduce a clarification or justification for a particular action, event, or decision. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in providing context and understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explaining the reason for" is a versatile gerund phrase widely used to introduce the cause or justification behind a particular action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal contexts such as news, academia, and scientific publications. While highly versatile, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by omitting "why" and focusing on concise phrasing. When choosing related phrases, consider the nuance and formality required by the context. Overall, mastering the use of "explaining the reason for" and its alternatives enables clear and effective communication in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying the motivation for

Shifts the focus to making the underlying drive or purpose behind an action more understandable.

justifying the cause of

Replaces "reason" with "cause", offering a more formal tone and emphasizing the justification of the underlying cause.

showing the justification for

Highlights the act of demonstrating or proving the validity of a claim or action.

detailing the grounds for

Focuses on providing specific details about the basis or justification for something, adding a legal or formal nuance.

elucidating the rationale behind

Emphasizes the act of clarifying the underlying principles or logic that support a decision or action, increasing the formality.

outlining the basis of

Emphasizes a structured presentation of the fundamental principles or facts on which something is founded.

presenting the argument for

Frames the explanation as a structured case or set of reasons intended to persuade or convince.

giving an account of why

Provides a narrative or explanation that answers the question of why something happened or was done, more conversational.

specifying the purpose of

Centers on clearly defining the intended aim or function that something serves.

revealing the why of

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic element, focusing on uncovering the fundamental cause or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "explaining the reason for" in a sentence?

You can use "explaining the reason for" to introduce the cause or justification for an action or event, as in, "She spent a considerable amount of time explaining the reason for the delay".

What are some alternatives to "explaining the reason for"?

Alternatives include "justifying the cause of", "clarifying the motivation for", or "giving an account of why", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "explaining the reason why"?

Yes, using "explaining the reason why" is redundant because "reason" already implies "why". It's better to use either "explaining the reason" or simply "explaining why".

What's the difference between "explaining the reason for" and "justifying the reason for"?

"Explaining the reason for" primarily focuses on clarifying or detailing the cause, whereas "justifying the reason for" implies defending or showing the validity of the cause.