have reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

"have reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain why something is happening or why someone is making a certain decision. For example: "He decided to move to a new city because he had reason for a fresh start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Spaniards have reason for concern.

The Economist

Others have reason for doubt.

The Economist

Both men have reason for optimism.

The New York Times

Both sides have reason for caution.

The New York Times - Sports

But we do have reason for thinking they were wrong.

The New York Times

This time, advocates say they have reason for optimism.

The New York Times

But those who cut their losses have reason for cheer.

The New York Times

But the union may have reason for hope.

The New York Times

Here too, though, the europhiles have reason for optimism.

The New Yorker

Yet as they look toward the November elections, Republicans have reason for optimism.

The New York Times

Some Kurdish and Shia groups have denounced the office as military colonisation.They have reason for anxiety.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have reason for" to clearly and directly state the justification behind an action, feeling, or belief, especially in situations where clarity and transparency are important. For instance, "The company has reason for optimism given the recent increase in sales."

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who "has reason for" something. Instead of "Reason for concern was had by the investors", write "The investors have reason for concern" for a clearer and more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have reason for" functions as a verbal phrase used to indicate that there is a valid cause, justification, or basis for a particular feeling, action, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms this based on the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have reason for" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express justification or cause for a particular state, feeling, or action. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase, highlighting its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "have cause for" or "have grounds for" exist, "have reason for" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various situations. Remember to use it actively to maintain clarity and avoid passive constructions. Overall, understanding the nuances of this phrase enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have cause for

Replaces "reason" with "cause", emphasizing the basis or origin of a feeling or action.

have grounds for

Substitutes "reason" with "grounds", focusing on the justification or basis for an action or belief, often in a legal context.

have justification for

Replaces "reason" with "justification", highlighting the legitimacy or validity of a feeling or action.

have basis for

Substitutes "reason" with "basis", emphasizing the foundation or support for a belief or action.

be justified in

Similar to "are warranted in", indicating that there's a valid reason for a particular action or feeling.

have a rationale for

Suggests a more formal or reasoned explanation for something.

are warranted in

Expresses that something is justified or appropriate in a particular situation.

have an excuse for

Implies a less legitimate or weaker reason, often used when trying to justify something.

possess a rationale for

Similar to "have a rationale for", but emphasizes ownership or control of the rationale.

find sufficient cause for

Indicates that enough justification has been found to warrant a particular action or feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "have reason for" to explain why someone feels a certain way or takes a particular action. For example, "The students "have reason for" celebration after passing their exams".

What are some alternatives to "have reason for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have cause for", "have grounds for", or "be justified in", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "have reason for" or "have cause for"?

"Have reason for" and "have cause for" are quite similar in formality. However, "have cause for" might be perceived as slightly more emphatic or serious.

What's the difference between "have reason for" and "have a reason to"?

"Have reason for" generally describes a justification for a feeling or state, while "have a reason to" typically indicates a motivation for an action. For instance, "They have reason for optimism" (feeling) vs. "They have a reason to celebrate" (action).