general reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'general reason' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an overarching justification for a certain action or behavior. For example, "The district laid off dozens of teachers this year for general budgetary reasons".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

One general reason for infrequent dispensing of generic drugs might be the higher profit margin of branded drugs derived from the difference between wholesale and reimbursement prices [ 8, 33].

BMC Health Services Research

"The general reason they usually stop coming is that their lives are just too chaotic," Ms. Thompson said.

The New York Times

His proposal, in case it wasn't clear, runs not only against the Constitution but against the general reason that the Founders set up this country.

The New Yorker

"I think the general reason is that the authorities are putting pressure on many dissidents, and Yang Maodong is one of them," Mr. Sui said.

The New York Times

"The general reason for tire failure is tire abuse by drivers, not tire manufacture," said Edward J. Wagner, a consultant in Louisville, Ky., who often serves as an expert witness -- both for and against tire companies -- in product liability lawsuits.

The New York Times

In this book he argued for the necessity of religion, basing his appeals on the authority of tradition and the general reason of mankind rather than on the individualism of private judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

There are two general reasons for performing separations on mixtures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kevin Hallinan, baseball's security chief, said baseball would investigate the incident for specific and general reasons.

The New York Times - Sports

And yet, for two general reasons, I'm not the slightest bit bothered by the findings.

The Economist

But there are good general reasons for building high-energy colliders – they allow us to study the smallest constituents of matter, and we knew that was the case already without help from Higgs.

The Guardian

Understanding these procedures is important for two general reasons.

Mechanisms of Memory

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general reason", ensure that subsequent details support and elaborate on this broader point, providing a cohesive and logical argument.

Common error

Avoid using "general reason" when a more specific explanation is readily available. Overusing it can make your writing seem vague or lacking in depth. Instead, provide precise details to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general reason" functions as a noun phrase used to introduce a broad, overarching explanation or justification for a particular event, action, or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It sets the stage for more detailed explanations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general reason" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for introducing broad explanations or justifications. As Ludwig AI shows, it is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, serving to provide a high-level understanding before delving into specifics. When writing, use "general reason" to set the stage, but always follow up with specific details to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "overall cause" or "primary motive" can add nuance depending on the context. Remember to avoid overstating generality and always support your claims with precise information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall cause

Focuses on the primary factor leading to a particular outcome or situation.

primary motive

Emphasizes the main impetus or incentive behind an action.

main rationale

Highlights the fundamental justification or underlying logic.

common explanation

Suggests a widely accepted or typical reason for something.

typical justification

Implies a standard or usual reason, especially in defense of something.

broad justification

Indicates a wide-ranging or extensive reason, covering multiple aspects.

underlying rationale

Focuses on the more fundamental, often less obvious reason.

basic explanation

Highlights a simple, fundamental reason, often used for clarity.

prevailing cause

Suggests the most influential or dominant reason among several possibilities.

chief ground

Emphasizes the principal or most important reason for a belief or action.

FAQs

How can I use "general reason" in a sentence?

You can use "general reason" to introduce a broad explanation or justification. For example, "The "general reason" for the policy change was to improve efficiency."

What's a good alternative to "general reason"?

Alternatives include "overall cause", "primary motive", or "main rationale" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "general reason" or a more specific reason?

It depends on the context. Use "general reason" to introduce a broad explanation, but follow it with specific details to support your claim. If a specific reason is immediately clear, use that instead.

What's the difference between "general reason" and "specific reason"?

"General reason" provides a broad overview, while "specific reason" offers precise details. Use both in conjunction to provide a comprehensive explanation.