explicit reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explicit reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to specify a clear and direct explanation for something. Example: "The report did not provide an explicit reason why the project was delayed, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And that's not bleeding-heart hyperbole – it's the explicit reason why many people are drawn to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pod Tune themselves believe the animals' baleful wails have "a much grander purpose," much in the same way that humans don't an explicit reason why we produce music, but have for thousands of years.

Vice

The majority of articles specified at least one explicit reason why a form of diagramming was selected for data collection.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Therefore, while Fullwiley encounters scientists who, while committed to addressing health disparities and injustices in their work, seem to be somewhat less critical about the use of racial terminology to qualify their samples, Bliss (2011, 2012) claims that her interviewees are engaged, and that is the explicit reason why they adopt 'race' as a scientific parameter.

BioSocieties

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Abstinence rates decreased under the Bratt system, which was one of the explicit reasons why the government abandoned it [5].

Addiction

Adherence to each exercise program ranged greatly between the studies, and two of the RCTs 38, 42 provided explicit reasons why exercise adherence was lower for some participants.

Clinical interventions in aging

There are explicit institutional reasons why poetry with a political attitude is verboten.

Huffington Post

This is the reason why a preamble is suitable in this explicit position.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

His explicit endorsement of this proposition is no doubt the central reason why he is considered to be a possibilist.

SEP

Low frequency of infection was the most common reason why the cases were not concordant with the explicit criteria.

British Medical Journal

That is part of the reason why Gotilwa+ does not include age as an explicit variable in the model.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy. Ensure that the "reason" is genuinely explicit and not merely a restatement of the situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "explicit reason why" can sometimes sound repetitive or awkward in very formal writing. Consider using a more concise phrasing like "specific rationale" or "clear justification" for a smoother tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explicit reason why" functions as a causal connector, linking a situation or outcome to a directly stated cause or justification. As Ludwig highlights, it is used to specify a clear explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explicit reason why" is a grammatically correct way to introduce a clearly stated explanation or cause. As Ludwig underlines, this phrase is usable in written English to emphasize directness. While found in diverse contexts like science and news media, it is relatively uncommon. When writing, be mindful of potential wordiness and consider alternatives like "clear explanation" or "specific rationale" for a more concise style. The phrase is best used when you want to ensure there's no ambiguity about the reason being provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear explanation for

Focuses on the clarity of the explanation rather than the underlying cause.

specific rationale for

Highlights the logic and justification behind a decision or action.

precise justification for

Emphasizes the accuracy and validity of the reason provided.

exact cause of

Directly points to the origin or trigger of an event or situation.

the underlying reason for

Focuses on the fundamental or less obvious cause.

the definitive explanation for

Suggests a final, authoritative answer to "why".

the main impetus behind

Highlights the driving force or motivation.

the primary motivation for

Focuses on the goal or desire that led to a specific action.

the rationale being

A more concise and formal way of presenting the reason.

the justification being

Similar to rationale, but can imply a need to defend the reason.

FAQs

How can I use "explicit reason why" in a sentence?

You can use "explicit reason why" to introduce a clearly stated explanation for something. For example, "The report provided an explicit reason why the project was delayed." Alternatively you can use other expressions such as "clear explanation for" or "specific rationale for".

What are some alternatives to "explicit reason why"?

Alternatives include "clear explanation for", "specific rationale for", or "precise justification for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it redundant to say "explicit reason why"?

While not strictly redundant, using "explicit reason why" can sometimes be wordy. Consider whether "reason" alone is sufficient, or if emphasizing the clarity with "clear explanation for" adds meaningful emphasis.

What's the difference between "explicit reason why" and "implicit reason why"?

"Explicit reason why" means the reason is directly stated. There is no such thing as "implicit reason why". Implicit means the reason is implied but not directly expressed and the correct expression in this case is, for example, "implicit motivation" or "unstated reason".