for external reasons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for external reasons" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining a decision or action that is influenced by factors outside of the immediate context or situation. Example: "The project was delayed for external reasons, including supply chain issues and regulatory changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nonetheless, for external reasons, you are unable to contemplate ever making them again.

The Guardian - Books

"I think Merkel was right in holding back, for domestic reasons to overcome the resistance and for external reasons to soften up the Greeks and others," said Josef Joffe, editor of the German weekly Die Zeit.

The New York Times

I didn't do this for external reasons.

BBC

According to this reading, the problem Williams sees for external reasons is the following.

SEP

The location of the equipment is quite often limited by the process or site needs, or other restrictions imposed for external reasons to the piping flexibility.

Piping and Pipeline Calculations Manual Construction, Design, Fabrication, and Examination

It was a frustrating hour, only because it had so many interesting elements to it -- all of which were compressed and cut short for external reasons.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We considered two possible explanations: increased parasite resistance to SP, and masking of a protective effect of SP by increased ITN coverage or by declining malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable morbidity, for other external reasons.

Plosone

Selection against these mutations is weak because under natural conditions, most individuals die for other, external reasons before aging manifests itself.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Trainees were often working beyond their rostered hours for voluntary reasons of workload, perceived need to gain educational opportunities and collegiality, but also for more external reasons such as the expectations of others and gaps in the rota.

BMJ Open

An America "in serious decline for domestic and/or external reasons," he says, would lead to a breakdown in the ability of the international system to prevent conflict once it became evident that "America is unwilling or unable to protect states it once considered, for national interest and/ or doctrinal reasons, worthy of its engagement".

The New York Times - Books

Second, both for internal and external reasons, Creationists realized that they needed to tread carefully in outright opposition to evolution of all kinds.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for external reasons", clearly specify what those external reasons are to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The project was delayed for external reasons", specify "The project was delayed for external reasons, such as supply chain disruptions and unexpected regulatory changes."

Common error

Avoid solely attributing failures or shortcomings to "for external reasons" without thoroughly examining internal factors. An over-reliance on external explanations can prevent a comprehensive understanding of the issue and hinder the identification of internal improvements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for external reasons" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It provides the reason or cause for an action or state, indicating that the cause originates from outside the entity or situation being described. Ludwig's examples confirm that it is often used to explain events or decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for external reasons" serves as an adverbial phrase used to explain events or decisions driven by factors outside of the immediate situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and validated by Ludwig AI, it's most effective when the external reasons are clearly specified. The phrase sees frequent use in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional register. When writing, avoid over-relying on external factors as sole explanations, and always provide specific details to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "due to outside influences" and "because of extraneous factors".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to outside influences

Focuses on the impact of external forces, highlighting influences rather than just reasons.

because of extraneous factors

Emphasizes that the factors are not inherent or essential to the situation.

owing to external circumstances

Highlights the role of surrounding conditions in causing something.

as a result of outside considerations

Directly points to considerations that are not internal.

stemming from external forces

Highlights the origin of the cause as being external.

attributable to external conditions

Emphasizes the causal link to external conditions.

resulting from external pressures

Highlights the influence of external pressures as the cause.

on account of external motivators

Focuses on what drives or encourages a behavior from the outside.

because of external constraints

Highlights limitations or restrictions imposed externally.

under external impetus

Shows how actions start from the outside push.

FAQs

How can I use "for external reasons" in a sentence?

You can use "for external reasons" to explain why something happened due to outside factors. For example: "The company's profits declined "for external reasons", including increased competition and changes in government regulations."

What are some alternatives to saying "for external reasons"?

Alternatives include phrases like "due to outside influences", "because of extraneous factors", or "owing to external circumstances". These phrases all convey the idea that something is happening due to factors outside the immediate situation.

Is it better to specify the external reasons rather than just saying "for external reasons"?

Yes, specifying the external reasons is generally better. While saying ""for external reasons"" is grammatically correct, it can be vague. Providing specific examples, such as "due to supply chain disruptions", gives more clarity and context.

What's the difference between "internal reasons" and "for external reasons"?

"Internal reasons" refer to factors within a system or entity, while ""for external reasons"" refer to factors outside of that system or entity. For example, a company's success may be due to internal reasons (e.g., good management) or for external reasons (e.g., a favorable economic climate).