make reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make reason' is not meaningful in this context.
The phrase 'make sense' is the correct phrase in this situation. Example sentence: The explanation did not make sense, so I asked for clarification.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I tried to make reason with it.

The New York Times

Against that, the moderates, were they Zhao or the student leader Wang Dan, could not make reason prevail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Aitor Throup has spent six years on what he described as "new object research," an effort to make reason the essence of design and apply it functionally.

The New York Times

By "turning a stream of fresh thought upon our stock notions and habits," culture seeks to make "reason and the will of God prevail".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Golf fans on both sides of the Atlantic can sit around and cluck for a while, trying to make reason of all this.

The Guardian - Sport

A Vindication of Natural Society pretends to make reason rather than custom the basis for the organisation of society: nature, its purported champion contends, provides a better template for living than the legacy of human contrivance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Assessing these objectively will be crucial for investors who want to make reasoned decisions.

The New York Times

We want a leader who will make reasoned decisions, not some trigger-happy reactionary.

The New York Times

"Data will help us track good trends, monitor bad behaviour, and make reasoned decisions", Howard claims.

The Guardian - Tech

They want to make reasoned comments and have an open debate about the issues.

The Guardian

Patients who are healthy can make reasoned choices without the stress of a serious illness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "make reason", opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "make sense", or "give a reason". This will enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make reason" as a direct substitute for expressing logical thought or coherent explanation. It is not a standard idiom, and its usage can lead to confusion. Rely on established phrases like "make sense" or "provide a rationale" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make reason" functions as a verb phrase where "make" acts as a light verb. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not meaningful in many contexts, and the more common phrase is "make sense".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make reason" is not a standard idiom in English, and its usage can often lead to confusion. Ludwig AI suggests that "make sense" is a more appropriate alternative in many contexts. While "make reason" appears in various sources, including news articles, scientific papers, and encyclopedias, its non-idiomatic nature means it is not always grammatically sound. For clarity and precision, consider using more established phrases like "give a reason", "provide a rationale", or "explain the reasoning" instead. These alternatives offer a more direct and universally understood way to express the act of providing justification or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make sense

Replaces "reason" with "sense", focusing on comprehensibility and logical coherence.

give a reason

Focuses on providing an explanation or justification.

provide a rationale

Replaces "make reason" with "provide a rationale", emphasizing the act of supplying a logical basis.

offer an explanation

Similar to giving a reason, but can be broader, encompassing various types of explanations.

present an argument

Highlights the structured presentation of logical points.

justify the action

Focuses on providing a valid justification for a specific action or decision.

explain the reasoning

Emphasizes the process of explaining the logical steps taken to arrive at a conclusion.

establish grounds

Indicates the creation of a foundation or basis for a particular belief or action.

form a judgment

Replaces the abstract "reason" with "judgment", emphasizing the act of forming an opinion based on available information.

draw a conclusion

Replaces "reason" with "conclusion", emphasizing the derivation of a final point from evidence or premises.

FAQs

What does "make reason" mean?

While not a standard idiom, "make reason" is sometimes used to express the act of providing a justification or explanation. However, it is often clearer and more effective to use phrases like "give a reason" or "provide an explanation".

Is it grammatically correct to say "make reason"?

The phrase "make reason" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "make sense" or using a verb like "explain" or "justify".

What can I say instead of "make reason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "make sense", "give a reason", "provide a rationale", or simply use verbs like "explain" or "justify".

How can I use "make sense" in a sentence?

Use "make sense" when something is logical or understandable. For example, "The explanation didn't "make sense", so I asked for clarification."