hidden reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hidden reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an underlying motive or explanation that is not immediately obvious. Example: "There may be a hidden reason behind her sudden decision to leave the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But there might be another, hidden reason: the shape of a smoker's social ties.

The New York Times - Magazine

I sometimes wonder if there might have been a further hidden reason, something Shewring was maybe only half aware of.

The Guardian - Arts

But, if there was a hidden reason, the one I heard most was that we needed to change the geopolitical momentum after 9/11.

The New Yorker

Mr. Daley said at his news conference that although the news media and others might seek some hidden reason for his decision, there was none.

The New York Times

It's the boss's job to make decisions, after all, and co-workers may think there is some legitimate hidden reason for the boss's behavior.

The New York Times - Health

In 2011 the French cleared the airwaves to cover Prince William's wedding on live public television; 9m viewers tuned in to watch.Perhaps the hidden reason for French royal fervour, though, is a secret envy mixed with regret.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Each, of course, has hidden reasons for signing on.

The New York Times

Pakistani analysts said that suggested that Pakistani intelligence may have hidden reasons for detaining the family.

The New York Times

If you commonly wonder "what hidden reasons another person may have for doing something nice" to you, you might consider psychotherapy or other interventions, which -- by brightening your attitude -- might also keep dementia at bay.

Los Angeles Times

Except for "System D," of course, and transactions hidden for reasons of tax avoidance, which run on ZCash, which is (ineffectively) banned by governments who fear the loss of their tax revenue from earned income hidden by zk-SNARKs.

TechCrunch

The other intuition is that the integrated deep belief networks extract the common features at the top layer which represent the hidden deeper reasons for which the interactions change at different time points.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hidden reason", ensure the context makes it clear why the reason is not immediately obvious. Is it intentionally concealed, or simply not easily discernible?

Common error

Avoid using "hidden reason" when the reason is, in fact, quite apparent. This can weaken your writing and make it seem as though you are trying too hard to create intrigue where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hidden reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "hidden" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "reason". It suggests a cause or explanation that is not immediately apparent. Ludwig AI showcases this usage across numerous contexts, from news to scientific articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hidden reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase, with "hidden" modifying "reason" to suggest an underlying or concealed explanation. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, writers should ensure that the reason is genuinely not obvious and avoid overstating the obvious. Alternatives such as "ulterior motive" or "underlying cause" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ulterior motive

Focuses specifically on a concealed, often self-serving, reason for an action.

underlying cause

Highlights the fundamental reason, which might not be immediately apparent.

secret motivation

Emphasizes the concealed nature of the driving force behind an action.

unspoken justification

Suggests a reason that exists but is not explicitly stated.

covert purpose

Implies a deliberately concealed aim or intention.

latent rationale

Highlights a reason that is present but not yet active or fully developed.

unacknowledged incentive

Suggests a motivating factor that is not openly admitted or recognized.

masked explanation

Emphasizes that the true explanation is concealed by something else.

veiled intent

Implies that the intention is deliberately obscured or disguised.

unstated ground

Focuses on a reason that remains implicit rather than explicit.

FAQs

What does "hidden reason" mean?

A "hidden reason" refers to an underlying or concealed explanation or motivation behind an action or situation that is not immediately apparent or openly stated.

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

You can use "hidden reason" to suggest there's more to a situation than meets the eye. For example: "There might be a "hidden reason" behind his sudden departure."

What are some synonyms for "hidden reason"?

Alternatives to "hidden reason" include "ulterior motive", "underlying cause", or "secret motivation", each emphasizing a concealed aspect of the explanation.

Is it better to say "hidden reason" or "underlying reason"?

Both "hidden reason" and "underlying reason" are valid, but "hidden reason" suggests the reason is intentionally concealed or difficult to find, while "underlying reason" simply means it's fundamental but not immediately obvious.