leading reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'leading reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there is an important factor that influences a particular decision or outcome. For example, "The leading reason for the company's success was its focus on customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Among the foodborne microorganisms, bacteria are the leading reason for serious outbreaks and lead to spread the diseases irrespective of the region.

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry

It can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer and is the nation's leading reason for liver transplants.

Duke University

And the leading reason people seek out counseling is loneliness.

Stanford University

Not surprisingly, it is the leading reason for liver transplants in the United States.

Harvard University

A leading reason was that Pennsylvania was in the rear-view mirror — for now, anyway.

The New York Times

Across all incomes, arguing about money was the leading reason for divorce.

The New York Times

Excess weight is the leading reason the Army rejects potential recruits.

The New York Times

TopCoder's founder, Jack Hughes, believes that this is a leading reason for his community's high productivity.

Harvard Business Review

Hepatitis C, caused by a virus, is the leading reason for liver transplants in the United States.

The New York Times

It's the leading reason for liver transplants, which are among the most expensive of all medical procedures.

The New Yorker

The second leading reason, causing 12.6percentt of restatements, was the handling of reserves and contingency funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leading reason", ensure the context clearly establishes what the reason is leading to. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "leading reason" when the factor is merely significant but not definitively the most influential. Instead, consider using terms like "significant factor" or "contributing reason" to reflect a more nuanced level of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant cause, justification, or explanation for a particular situation, event, or decision. As shown in Ludwig, it is frequently used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leading reason" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression to denote the primary cause or justification for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While often interchangeable with alternatives like "main reason" or "primary cause", "leading reason" may suggest a more thorough evaluation to identify the most influential factor. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clearly defines what the reason is leading to, and avoid overstating the importance of a factor if it's not definitively the most influential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary cause

Focuses more directly on causation rather than justification or explanation.

main reason

A simpler and more direct synonym, suitable for most contexts.

principal cause

Similar to "primary cause", but may imply a more formal or significant context.

major contributing factor

Highlights the role of the reason as one of several factors.

key factor

Emphasizes the importance of the reason in a particular outcome.

most important factor

Directly states the relative importance of the reason.

underlying reason

Suggests a deeper, less obvious cause.

chief reason

Similar to "main reason", but may carry a slightly more formal tone.

driving force

Implies that the reason is actively propelling a particular outcome.

basic rationale

Focuses on the logical or reasoned basis for something.

FAQs

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

Use "leading reason" to indicate the primary cause or justification for a particular event or decision. For example, "The "leading reason" for the company's growth was its innovative product line."

What's a good alternative to "leading reason"?

Alternatives include "primary cause", "main reason", or "key factor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "leading reason" or "main reason"?

"Leading reason" and "main reason" are often interchangeable, but "leading reason" may imply a more exhaustive assessment to determine the primary factor.

Can "leading reason" refer to multiple factors?

While "leading reason" typically refers to a single primary factor, you can use the phrase "leading reasons" to discuss multiple key reasons.