largest reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largest reason why" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when trying to emphasize the most significant cause or explanation for something, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "The largest reason why we decided to change our strategy was the feedback from our customers."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He calls it the "single largest reason why individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar do not take their medications".

The New Yorker

That is the largest reason why this young man, who was moved by ideas and beliefs rather than by ideals and emotions, does deserve, even after the elegies fade, credit for what he might have done as well as for what he did.

The Economist

But the single largest reason why the 10-year rate has gone up - not just this week, but nearly every week in the past three months - is that the interest rate on US 10-year government bonds has gone up in response to that crucial "tapering" talk from the head of the US central bank.

BBC

Avoiding hurt feelings, is arguably the largest reason why so many of us become comedians.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And kids really take to it, and that was a large reason why we thought our role was to be laid back".

The New York Times - Arts

But the much larger reason why the Cannes summit is unlikely to rise to the occasion is that it is simply overshadowed by the eurozone crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Gay professional athletes talk about a large reason why they don't come out is because they'll lose their endorsements," he added.

The New York Times

His family's financial straits were a large reason why, in the summer of 1861, he answered President Abraham Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers and enlisted as a corporal in the 48th New York Infantry.

The New York Times

The World Health Organization has predicted that within the next quarter century, chronic diseases will overtake infectious ones as the major disease burden for the developing world, and obesity is a large reason why.

The New York Times - Science

It's true, too, that discontent about immigration was a large reason why people voted to leave the EU, and yes, even among those who voted to remain, the free movement of people is deeply unpopular.

The Guardian

Laurel Erickson, a longtime political reporter at KNBC-TV, said she was glad for the face time she and her peers were receiving on newscasts, but she expressed concern that Mr. Schwarzenegger was a large reason why.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a singular, crucial cause, use "largest reason why" to clearly highlight its significance, ensuring your audience understands its primary importance. Ensure that the "reason" is, in fact, the most impactful factor.

Common error

Avoid overuse; while impactful, "largest reason why" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "main reason" or "primary cause" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largest reason why" functions as a causal indicator, pinpointing the most significant factor influencing a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is used to emphasize the preeminent cause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largest reason why" is employed to emphasize the primary cause or explanation for a given event or situation. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can occasionally sound awkward, and that using simpler alternatives like "main reason" or "primary cause" can improve clarity and flow. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to highlight the most critical factor in an objective and analytical manner. Remember to consider context and audience when deciding whether to use "largest reason why", and ensure that the identified reason genuinely carries the most weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

Replaces "largest" with "main" for a simpler, more direct expression.

primary cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", emphasizing a direct causal relationship.

biggest factor

Replaces "reason" with "factor", highlighting influence rather than direct causation.

most significant reason

Uses "most significant" instead of "largest" to stress importance.

chief reason

Employs "chief" to indicate the top or leading reason.

principal motive

Replaces "reason" with "motive", suggesting an underlying motivation.

major contributing factor

Expands the phrase to highlight contribution and importance.

foremost reason

Uses "foremost" to emphasize that the reason is at the front or most important.

underlying cause

Focuses on the foundational cause behind an event or situation.

dominant influence

Shifts the focus to influence rather than direct cause, implying a strong effect.

FAQs

What does "largest reason why" mean?

The phrase "largest reason why" indicates the most significant cause or explanation for a particular situation or event. It's used to emphasize the primary factor influencing an outcome.

Is "largest reason why" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "largest reason why" can sometimes sound awkward. It is better to use more conventional phrasing. Alternatives such as "main reason" or "primary cause of" are often preferred for clearer and more concise writing.

What can I say instead of "largest reason why"?

You can use alternatives like "main reason", "primary cause", or "most significant reason" depending on the context. These alternatives often provide a smoother and more natural flow in writing.

When should I use "largest reason why"?

Use "largest reason why" when you want to explicitly highlight the single most important factor contributing to a specific outcome. However, be mindful of the potential for awkwardness and consider if alternatives like "main reason" or "primary cause" might be more appropriate.