for no reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'for no reason' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "without any explanation or justification". For example: He suddenly started crying for no reason.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like, for no reason?

The New Yorker

For no reason.

The New Yorker

I smiled for no reason.

The New York Times

And for no reason whatsoever.

The Guardian

For no reason, randomly".

The Guardian

She was always angry for no reason.

The New Yorker

"You know, for no reason, actually.

The New York Times - Magazine

Characters under attack pause for no reason.

The New York Times

"They can arrest us for no reason".

The New York Times

People were being shot for no reason.

The New Yorker

"They are killing people for no reason".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for no reason" to clearly indicate that something happens without any discernible cause or justification. It is effective for expressing randomness, spontaneity, or inexplicable events.

Common error

While "for no reason" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise alternatives such as "without justification" or "arbitrarily" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for no reason" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the absence of a cause or motive. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for no reason" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the absence of a discernible cause or motive. As Ludwig AI points out, it is frequently encountered in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and general writing. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Remember to avoid the incorrect form "for no reasons", and leverage this phrase to effectively convey randomness, spontaneity, or inexplicable occurrences in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without any reason

This alternative simply adds "any" to emphasize the lack of reason.

without a reason

This alternative uses the singular form "a" to indicate the absence of a single reason.

for no apparent reason

This alternative emphasizes that the reason is not easily noticeable or understandable.

for no discernible reason

This alternative highlights the lack of any clear or recognizable cause.

arbitrarily

This single-word alternative implies an action based on random choice or personal whim.

randomly

This alternative emphasizes the unpredictable and chance-based nature of the action.

unprovoked

This alternative specifies the absence of any instigating action or circumstance.

without justification

This alternative stresses the lack of legitimate grounds or support for the action.

unwarrantedly

This alternative highlights the lack of due cause or necessity for the action.

gratuitously

This alternative suggests the action is excessive and uncalled for.

FAQs

What does "for no reason" mean?

The phrase "for no reason" means without any cause, explanation, or justification. It implies that something happens without any apparent motive or purpose.

What can I say instead of "for no reason"?

You can use alternatives like "without any reason", "randomly", or "arbitrarily" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "for no reasons"?

No, the correct phrase is "for no reason". The word "reason" should be singular when used with "no" in this context.

How to use "for no reason" in a sentence?

You can use "for no reason" to describe actions or events that lack a clear cause. For example, "She started crying "for no reason"", or "The system crashed "for no reason"".