first reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing the initial point or argument in a list of reasons or justifications. Example: "The first reason for implementing this policy is to improve employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Affordability is the first reason.

The New York Times

The first reason is globalization.

International Journal of Production Economics

The first reason: Obamacare.

The Washington Post

That's the first reason.

The New York Times

The first reason for this is ideology.

The Economist

But back to the first reason.

Independent

The first reason underlies many important applications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first reason is repetition.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The first reason is mindset.

Harvard Business Review

Enter the first reason for this project.

Columbia University

The first reason is over-simplification.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing multiple reasons, clearly signal the transition to subsequent reasons using phrases like "second reason", "furthermore", or "in addition" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "the first reason" without providing sufficient detail or context to support the claim. Ensure the reason is thoroughly explained and justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first reason" functions as a discourse marker, introducing the primary justification or motive in a sequence of explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first reason" serves as a discourse marker, introducing the initial justification in a sequence of explanations. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "primary reason" or "main reason" can be used to emphasize importance rather than sequence. When employing this phrase, ensure that it's followed by a clear and well-supported explanation to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary reason

Replaces "first" with "primary", emphasizing importance rather than sequence.

main reason

Substitutes "first" with "main", focusing on the principal cause.

initial reason

Uses "initial" instead of "first", highlighting the starting point in a series of reasons.

original reason

Emphasizes the reason from the beginning.

chief reason

Indicates the most important and influential reason.

principal reason

Emphasizes the foremost and dominant reason.

foremost reason

Highlights the reason that comes before all others in importance.

underlying reason

Suggests a more fundamental or less obvious reason.

primary cause

Focuses on the causation aspect, highlighting the main factor that led to a result.

fundamental reason

Implies a basic and essential justification.

FAQs

How do you introduce a list of reasons?

You can start by stating "the "first reason" is", then proceed with the next reason by using phrases like "the second reason", "another reason", or "finally".

What are some alternatives to saying "first reason"?

You can use alternatives like "primary reason", "main reason", or "initial reason" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to provide supporting evidence after stating "first reason"?

Yes, it's important to provide supporting evidence or explanations after stating "the "first reason"" to make your argument or point more convincing and understandable.

How does "first reason" compare to "most important reason"?

"First reason" indicates the order in a sequence, while "most important reason" highlights the significance or impact. Depending on your focus, choose the phrase that best fits the context.