indicate the reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicate the reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to specify or explain the cause or justification for something. Example: "In your report, please indicate the reason why the project was delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If participants responded that they reject the theory, they were asked to indicate the reason why they reject the theory.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Before showing why not, it is convenient to rewrite the discrete model and its solution in vector form (which will also indicate the reason why an exact solution is possible).

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Codd indicated in his 1990 book The Relational Model for Database Management, Version 2 that the single Null mandated by the SQL standard was inadequate, and should be replaced by two separate Null-type markers to indicate the reason why data is missing.

Wikipedia

These differences might indicate the reason why strain J2315 is of remarkably distinct activity.

BMC Systems Biology

For instance, it is a good idea to indicate the reason why a data value is missing.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Table 2-wrap> indicates the reasons why the remaining 423 patients were not available.

British Journal of Cancer

They also indicated the reasons why they might hesitate to talk to their doctor about their depressive symptoms.

BMC Family Practice

In summary, our data indicate that the reason why rhEpo does not boost V̇O2max in severe acute hypoxia are: 1) a redistribution of blood flow causing a lower peak leg blood flow following rhEpo (see Fig. 6E and 7), such that O2 delivery to the legs in severe hypoxia did not benefit from the increase in CaO2 brought up by rhEpo treatment, and 2) a lower systemic O2 extraction.

Plosone

In the same article, a study by Dr. Luigi Garibaldi, a professor of pediatrics at the Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh, indicates that the reason why girls did not develop early in past generations was due to malnutrition.

Huffington Post

All children and adolescents indicated that the reasons why they decided to participate were that they wanted help with the problems related to their disorder: problems in school, problems with friends and with their families.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

See previous point for the reason why.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicate the reason why", ensure that the context clearly sets up the expectation for a reason or explanation to follow. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the statement's purpose is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "indicate the reason why" when a simpler phrase like "state the reason" or "explain why" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing. If the sentence is already establishing the intent of giving a reason, it is enough to use "indicate the reason" or "explain why" but not both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate the reason why" functions as a directive or request, commonly used to elicit an explanation or justification for a particular action, decision, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, as shown by the examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicate the reason why" is a grammatically sound and usable expression primarily employed to solicit explanations or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and highlights its presence across diverse fields such as science, news, and wiki-based content, as well as scientific articles, though its occurrence is relatively uncommon. When using the expression "indicate the reason why", consider that more direct options such as "explain why" are often more effective, while confirming to use it to prevent the issue of redundacy in sentences. With a slightly formal tone, it fits comfortably in professional or academic contexts but might feel stilted in very informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Specify the reason for

Focuses on being precise and detailed about the reason.

State the justification for

Highlights providing a valid reason to defend something.

Clarify the rationale behind

Emphasizes making the underlying logic or justification clear.

Explain the grounds for

Highlights the basis or foundation for a decision or action.

Describe the motive for

Highlights the driving force or intention behind an action.

Account for the cause of

Implies providing a comprehensive explanation of the causes.

Elaborate on the cause of

Suggests providing more detail about what brought something about.

Outline the basis of

Focuses on the fundamental principles or concepts behind something.

Detail the explanation for

Stresses providing a comprehensive account of the reasons.

Justify the reason of

Focuses on providing a reason to show something is right.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "indicate the reason why" in a sentence?

Use "indicate the reason why" to introduce an explanation or justification. For instance, "Please "indicate the reason why" you chose this method in your report."

Are there simpler alternatives to "indicate the reason why"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "explain why", "state the reason", or "specify the reason" depending on the context. These options can make your writing more concise.

Is "indicate the reason why" considered formal or informal?

"Indicate the reason why" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler alternatives like "explain why" may be suitable for more informal contexts.

What is the difference between "indicate the reason why" and "suggest the reason why"?

"Indicate the reason why" implies a direct statement or explanation of the cause, whereas "suggest the reason why" implies offering a possible but not necessarily definitive explanation.