material reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"material reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to practical, tangible reasons as opposed to emotional or abstract reasons. For example: "My decision to leave my job was based on a material reason – I could not afford the salary they offered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There is another more material reason why the Kurds won and Isis lost.

Independent

But the fact remains that Britain has been doing well not because Brits are best, but for a crunchy material reason called money.

The Guardian - Opinion

YSL owners Gucci Group have material reason to be pleased with Pilati's tenure which, thanks in part to commercial successes such as the Muse handbag and the Tribute shoe, saw the YSL label turn from loss-making to profit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Oberth posited in this work that materialism, the philosophy on which communism is based, is incorrect and further that aspects of human life such as the soul could not be explained by material reason.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But key rival Samsung's screen are only getting bigger, and though a larger one might have a slightly negative effect on iPhone ergonomics, the benefit of a big beautiful display as a way to attract consumers looking for a significant material reason to upgrade is a good reason for Apple to introduce one now.

TechCrunch

However, there is no material reason to believe that inclusion or exclusion of such patients would change the findings of this study.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In Bosnia the Bogomils, equally persecuted by Orthodoxy and Catholicism, had religious as well as material reasons for conversion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They consist of the southern Kurile islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islets.Both sides have material reasons to want to settle the island dispute.

The Economist

The caregivers had to resist being revealed as what they often really were — family members who had done what they had done for emotional, as well as material, reasons.

The New York Times

It remains a powerful principle to apply when confronted with the evidence in this week's World Economic Forum gender survey, which shows that Britain is slipping quickly down the world equality table for material reasons that need to be confronted, not explained or rationalised away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Next, the researchers explored whether the dynamic persisted if consumers were asked about their cars, a product that can be valued for both experiential and material reasons.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "material reason", ensure the context clearly contrasts it with emotional, abstract, or ideological reasons to emphasize the tangible or practical nature of the justification.

Common error

Avoid using "material reason" when the justification is primarily emotional, ideological, or based on abstract principles. Ensure the reason is rooted in tangible facts or practical considerations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies the basis or cause of an action or decision. As noted by Ludwig, it is used to highlight reasons that are tangible and practical rather than emotional or abstract.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "material reason" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that refers to tangible, practical, or factual justifications, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts to provide objective explanations. While not extremely common, the phrase is valuable for clearly differentiating between tangible and intangible motivations. When writing, ensure that the context supports a tangible basis and avoid confusing it with emotional or abstract justifications. While "material reason" is valid in both formal and informal writing, it maintains a slightly more formal and analytical tone. Alternatives include "tangible cause" and "practical motive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tangible cause

Emphasizes the concrete and perceptible nature of the cause.

concrete justification

Highlights the solid and factual basis of the justification.

practical motive

Focuses on the pragmatic and functional aspect of the motivation.

physical basis

Underlines the reliance on physical or empirical evidence.

empirical rationale

Stresses the derivation of the rationale from observation and experience.

pragmatic consideration

Highlights the practical and realistic nature of the consideration.

factual ground

Emphasizes the basis in verifiable facts.

substantive explanation

Focuses on the solid and meaningful nature of the explanation.

objective reasoning

Highlights the impartiality and lack of bias in the reasoning.

verifiable incentive

Emphasizes that the incentive is something that can be demonstrated or proven.

FAQs

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

You can use "material reason" to describe a decision or action that is based on tangible or practical considerations, such as "The company's decision to relocate was driven by a "material reason" – lower operating costs".

What is the difference between "material reason" and "emotional reason"?

"Material reason" refers to a justification based on tangible facts or practical considerations, while "emotional reason" is based on feelings or sentiments. For example, choosing a job for higher pay is a "material reason", while choosing it because you like the people is an emotional reason.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "material reason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tangible cause", "practical motive", or "concrete justification" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "material reason" formal or informal language?

"Material reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in analytical or explanatory writing where a distinction between tangible and intangible factors is important.