for the mere reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the mere reason" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to explain why something has occurred or why one has chosen a particular course of action. For example, "I chose to move to a different city for the mere reason of wanting a new start in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

OBERHAUSER: I consider that it is out of the question, for the mere reason that if the commander had known it at the time he would certainly never have chosen this spot for his headquarters, next to 11,000 dead.

Yale University

We're not as original as we like to think we are as a species, and vastly different people will arrive at the same joke for the mere reason that our brains really don't work all that different from each other; especially when comedians are coming to a piece of material with the same cultural influences and experiences.

Independent

"The US is a gang of cruel robbers which has worked hard to bring even a nuclear disaster to the DPRK, not content with having imposed the thrice-cursed and unheard-of political isolation, economic blockade and military pressure on it for the mere reason that it has differing ideology and social system and refuses to yield to the former's ambition for aggression.

Independent

But this formula is valid in all extended Kripke models for the mere reason that its truth at a world in a model only requires the existence of a maximally specific proposition, one which is true at exactly one world.

SEP

Thus proving that Nevadans refuse to simply elect a person for the mere reason their name appears on a ballot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

His consideration of reason is notable not for its familiar observation that reason is inadequate to religious knowledge, but for his pragmatist critique of the adequacy of mere reason even for scientific knowledge.

SEP

To explain this, he dusts off Darwin's long-neglected theory of sexual selection in which the act of choosing a mate for purely aesthetic reasons — for the mere pleasure of it — is an independent engine of evolutionary change.

Yale University

SPACE flight defies mere reason.

The Economist

For the same reason, the mere shifting of that rare commodity -- the black football coach at a Division I-A program -- from Stanford to South Bend represents a step forward in the struggle for racial equity.

The New York Times - Sports

For that reason, the mere fact that institutional investors' significant equity holdings generate high levels of common ownership by itself is insufficient to conclude that common ownership is generating substantial competitive harm.

Columbia University

Even more absurd, for some reason the mere suggestion that people can actually improve their capabilities as a parent through education and effort (and should want to) continues to be perceived as taboo.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the mere reason" to clearly and directly state the primary, and often seemingly insufficient, cause or justification for something. Ensure the context implies that the reason might be surprisingly simple or inadequate.

Common error

Avoid using "for the mere reason" when the reason is actually significant or complex. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the simplicity or potential inadequacy of the given reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the mere reason" functions as a causal connector. It introduces a reason or explanation, often implying that the reason is surprisingly simple or perhaps inadequate on its own. Ludwig examples support this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the mere reason" serves as a causal connector that introduces a potentially surprisingly simple or inadequate explanation. While grammatically sound, it is used less frequently than simpler alternatives like "simply because". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in formal writing, particularly in academic and news contexts, to highlight the potential insignificance of the reason being offered. Remember to reserve its use for situations where the simplicity of the reason is itself a point of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the simple reason that

Adds slight emphasis while keeping similar structure.

simply because

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise causal conjunction.

merely because

Highlights the insignificance of the reason being given.

just because

Similar to 'simply because', but may imply a less substantial reason.

given that

Presents the reason as a known or accepted piece of information.

on the grounds that

Introduces a more formal justification or basis for an action or belief.

solely due to

Emphasizes that the reason is the only factor involved.

as a result of only

Similar to solely due to but more verbose

by virtue of

Indicates something is a consequence of a specific quality or fact.

in light of the fact that

More verbose and formal way to introduce a reason.

FAQs

How can I use "for the mere reason" in a sentence?

Use "for the mere reason" to introduce a cause or explanation that might seem surprisingly simple or insufficient. For example, "I moved to a new city "for the mere reason" of wanting a fresh start."

What are some alternatives to "for the mere reason"?

You can use alternatives like "simply because", "just because", or "on the grounds that" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "for the simple reason" instead of "for the mere reason"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "For the simple reason" suggests the reason is straightforward, while "for the mere reason" emphasizes that the reason might seem surprisingly basic or inadequate.

When is it appropriate to use "for the mere reason" in writing?

Use "for the mere reason" when you want to highlight that the provided explanation might seem superficially weak or surprisingly simple, but it is the primary driver of a decision or outcome.