is there a specific reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'Is there a specific reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone why they are doing or not doing something. For example: "Is there a specific reason why you're not attending the meeting tomorrow?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Are you just afraid taxpayers will find out how wealthy she is, or is there a specific reason she has not come forward with this information?

Huffington Post

But is there a specific reason why this SOP is particularly useful?

WikiHow

Is there a specific reason why you don't like cats?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Was there a specific reason or concept behind staging it that way?

The Guardian

Was there a specific reason why you chose the name Charlie?

HuffPost

For the HERG recordings, is there any specific reason why the external concentration of KCl was only 2.5 mM?

F1000Research

"The soda cup is there for a specific reason," he wrote.

Huffington Post

Under the plans, call handlers will class missing persons cases as either "absent", when a person simply does not arrive where they are expected to be, or "missing", where there is a specific reason for concern.

Independent

In contrast, species in the environment are not routinely monitored (unless there is a specific reason to do so) and there is no equivalent to the doctor-patient interaction that is so important for identifying ADRs in patients.

Drug Safety

► The World Health Organization (WHO) wants "the main findings of every clinical study" to be "submitted to a peer-reviewed journal within 12 months after data collection ends and be published in an open-access journal unless there is a specific reason why that's impossible within 24 months," Martin Enserink wrote in a Tuesday ScienceInsider.

Science Magazine

In its statement, WHO says that from now on the main findings of every clinical study should be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal within 12 months after data collection ends and be published in an open-access journal unless there is a specific reason why that's impossible within 24 months.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to gently probe for information without being confrontational. It's suitable for professional and casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "is there a specific reason" when the reason is already obvious or has been stated. Redundant questioning can irritate your audience and makes you sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is there a specific reason" functions as an interrogative expression, prompting clarification or explanation for a particular action, decision, or situation. This type of question expects a detailed response clarifying the underlying motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is there a specific reason" serves as a versatile tool for seeking detailed explanations across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically sound and frequently used way to ask about underlying motivations. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both professional and informal communications. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity. Keep in mind that overuse can lead to redundancy, so avoid posing the question when the reason is already apparent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is there a particular reason

Uses "particular" instead of "specific", slightly softening the inquiry.

is there a special reason

Replaces "specific" with "special", implying a unique or noteworthy cause.

what is the precise reason

Shifts to a more direct question focusing on accuracy.

why is that specifically so

Inverts the structure to emphasize the 'why' and adds focus with 'specifically'.

can you specify the reason

Transforms the question into a request for clarification.

what's the underlying cause

Focuses on the deeper root or motivation.

is there a motive behind this

Directly asks about the intention or driving force.

what's the rationale for that

Inquires about the logical basis or justification.

what prompts this action

Asks what initiated or stimulated the event.

could you elaborate on the reasoning

Seeks a more detailed explanation of the thought process.

FAQs

How can I use "is there a specific reason" in a sentence?

Use "is there a specific reason" to inquire about the particular motivation or cause behind an action or decision. For example, "Is there a specific reason why you chose this method?"

What are some alternative ways to phrase "is there a specific reason"?

You can use alternatives like "is there a particular reason", "what is the precise reason", or "can you specify the reason" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is there a specific reason"?

It's appropriate to use "is there a specific reason" when you suspect there's a particular, perhaps unstated, motivation or justification behind someone's actions or choices.

Is "is there a specific reason" more or less formal than other similar phrases?

"Is there a specific reason" is generally neutral in tone, suitable for both professional and informal settings. More formal alternatives might include "what is the rationale for that", while less formal options could be "why is that specifically so".