is why

USAGE SUMMARY

"is why" can be used in written English.
It is used to provide a reason for something. For example, "This is why I didn't finish my project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The mystery is, why?

The New York Times

The puzzle is why.

The New Yorker

Here is why:1.

The Economist

Less certain is why.

The New York Times - Sports

Less clear is why.

The New York Times - Science

The interesting question is why.

The New York Times

One big question is why.

The New York Times

Which is why they're cool".

Independent

"The obvious reason is, why?

The New York Times - Arts

The question is: why Murray?

Independent

This is why we race".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is why" to clearly state the reason or cause behind a particular situation or action. Ensure the sentence structure is logical, with the cause following "is why".

Common error

Avoid using "is why" in overly complex or convoluted sentences where the cause-and-effect relationship becomes unclear. Simplify the sentence or rephrase it to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is why" functions as a causal connector, linking a situation or event to its underlying reason. It provides an explanation, as demonstrated by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is why" functions as a causal connector, clearly linking a situation to its reason or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While versatile, ensure the sentence structure remains clear and logical when using "is why" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "is the reason for" or "is due to" can provide similar explanations. Be aware of overusing it in complex sentences, and maintain clarity in your writing. The abundance of examples supports its widespread use, cementing its place as a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the reason for

This alternative directly states the cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing the reason behind something.

is because of

A more direct and simpler way to express the reason for something.

is the explanation for

This phrase highlights the act of clarifying or making something understandable.

is due to

This phrase is commonly used to indicate the cause of something, often implying a negative outcome.

is attributable to

This alternative suggests that something is caused or created by a specific factor.

is a consequence of

This phrase focuses on the result or outcome of a particular action or situation.

can be explained by

This alternative emphasizes the possibility of understanding something through a specific reason or cause.

stems from

This alternative indicates the origin or root cause of something.

results from

Similar to "is a consequence of", this highlights the outcome of an action or situation.

is accounted for by

This phrase suggests that something can be explained or justified by a particular reason or factor.

FAQs

How can I use "is why" in a sentence?

The phrase "is why" is used to introduce an explanation or a reason. For example, "The weather is bad; this "is why" the game was cancelled."

What are some alternatives to "is why"?

Alternatives to "is why" include phrases like "is the reason for", "is due to", or "results from", which can provide similar explanations with slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "is why"?

While it's more common to use "is why" within a sentence to connect a statement with its reason, it can be grammatically correct to start a sentence with a clause containing "is why" depending on the context and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "is why" and "that's why"?

"Is why" is generally used within a sentence to provide an explanation, whereas "that's why" is often used to start a new sentence or clause, acting as a more direct and concise way to state the reason following a previous statement.