immediate reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediate reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to the cause of an event that happened right away or without too much delay. For example, "The immediate reason for the breakout of war was the crossing of the border."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The immediate reason was Freny.

The Guardian - Books

No immediate reason was given for Mr. Zubair's testimony.

The New York Times

China has a more immediate reason not to alienate foreigners.

The New York Times

But there was a more immediate reason, he added.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Lewin has a more immediate reason to oppose the Kyo-ya proposal.

The New York Times

"The immediate reason is the strong attack by the imported movies," he said.

The New York Times

There is a very immediate reason why Ahern is doing all this.

The Guardian

But whatever the immediate reason, Ward's demise was long in the cards.

The New York Times

That two people in baseball would have the same agent is not immediate reason for suspicion.

The New York Times

He acknowledged that the recession was the immediate reason for the demise of his family's business.

The New York Times

The immediate reason for the change is obvious: NBC is drowning in the ratings.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediate reason" when you want to emphasize the direct and most recent cause of an event or decision. It's particularly useful when distinguishing between short-term triggers and long-term factors.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate reason" when describing underlying or contributing factors that have developed over time. Instead, reserve it for the most direct trigger or cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific cause or justification that is both direct and recent. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting a direct and recent cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and practical expression suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "direct cause" or "primary reason" exist, "immediate reason" emphasizes the timing and directness of the cause. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, and its effective use requires distinguishing between short-term triggers and long-term underlying factors. Its versatility and clarity make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct cause

Emphasizes the directness of the cause, removing the element of timing implied by "immediate".

proximate cause

Similar to "immediate reason", but is often used in legal or technical contexts to denote the most direct cause of an event.

primary reason

Highlights the main reason without specifically addressing the time frame.

main reason

Focuses on the principal cause or justification.

chief reason

Indicates the most important reason.

underlying reason

Shifts the focus to a more fundamental or foundational cause that may not be immediately obvious.

prompting factor

Highlights what triggered or initiated an event, rather than the overall reason.

precipitating factor

Refers to the factor that directly and suddenly triggers an event or situation.

triggering event

Focuses on the specific event that initiated a series of actions or reactions.

driving force

Suggests a more dynamic and compelling reason that propels an action or outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "immediate reason" to describe the most direct cause of an event. For example, "The "immediate reason" for the price increase was the sudden shortage of raw materials".

What can I say instead of "immediate reason"?

You can use alternatives like "direct cause", "primary reason", or "main reason" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "immediate reason" and "underlying reason"?

"Immediate reason" refers to the direct and most recent cause, while "underlying reason" refers to a more fundamental or foundational cause that may not be immediately obvious.

Is it redundant to use "immediate reason" when "reason" already implies immediacy?

While "reason" can imply a cause, using "immediate reason" emphasizes the directness and recency of the cause, which can be useful for clarity in certain contexts.