for a specific reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for a specific reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide a justification for something. For example, "She decided to take the day off work for a specific reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I mention that for a specific reason.

Yale University

Mr. Savitt: "Did you make that up for a specific reason?" Mr. Thompson: "Just talking".

The New York Times

In 2009, Ginsburg said she had attended that year's presidential address for a specific reason.

The Washington Post

Humans were trying to help it become established for a specific reason.

Columbia University

Asked for a specific reason why ­McKiernan was being removed, Gates said: "Nothing went wrong and there was nothing specific".

The Guardian

"John's never said anything negative about anybody," Mr. Steinberg said, "but obviously he's upset with Costas for a specific reason".

The New York Times

"Business travel happens for a specific reason, and carrier service issues aren't going to drive bookings down," Mr. Patterson said.

The New York Times

I went today to the city of Misrata for a specific reason; to bear witness before Gaddafi's dead body.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though now rarely acknowledged, it was dubbed Magna Carta, or the Great Charter, for a specific reason.

The Guardian - Opinion

Board of Elections officials maintain that the state's election law requires each challenge to be lodged to a single voter for a specific reason.

The New York Times

Whenever we open a bottle of champagne for a specific reason, we put a label on it and it joins the stack".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a specific reason", follow it with a clear and concise explanation of that reason to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "for a specific reason" without providing the reason itself. Leaving the reason unstated weakens the sentence and frustrates the reader. Always clarify the specific reason you are alluding to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a specific reason" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or clause. It introduces the purpose, cause, or justification behind an action or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a specific reason" is a correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce an explanation or justification. It is very common in various types of writing, as demonstrated by Ludwig, especially in News & Media. While it can be used in many contexts, providing the reason is key to maintaining clarity. Alternative phrases like "for a particular purpose" or "due to a distinct cause" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and helpful for providing explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a particular purpose

Emphasizes the intended aim or goal.

due to a distinct cause

Highlights that there's a clear and identifiable cause.

on account of a definite motive

Focuses on the underlying motivation behind an action.

with a clear intention

Highlights the clarity and deliberateness of the intent.

for a defined objective

Emphasizes the precise nature of the goal.

because of a certain rationale

Stresses the logical reasoning behind something.

by virtue of a concrete aim

Emphasizes the tangible and focused nature of the goal.

pursuant to a precise goal

Indicates that the action is taken to achieve a well-defined goal.

given a singular explanation

Focuses on the existence of one particular explanation.

on the grounds of a precise factor

Highlights that the action is based on a specific and well-defined element.

FAQs

How can I use "for a specific reason" in a sentence?

Use "for a specific reason" to introduce an explanation or justification. For instance, "She chose that university "for a specific reason": its renowned engineering program".

What are some alternatives to "for a specific reason"?

Alternatives include "for a particular purpose", "due to a distinct cause", or "with a clear intention", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "for a specific reason" or "because"?

"Because" directly states the cause, while "for a specific reason" introduces a more detailed or nuanced explanation. Use "because" for simple causes and "for a specific reason" when you need to elaborate.

What's the difference between "for a specific reason" and "for no particular reason"?

"For a specific reason" implies a deliberate and identifiable cause, whereas "for no particular reason" suggests randomness or a lack of defined motivation. Consider the context and choose the phrase that best reflects the actual motivation.