most plausible reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most plausible reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the most likely explanation or justification for a particular situation or event. Example: "After analyzing the evidence, the most plausible reason for the delay appears to be a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The most plausible reason for the board's resistance is aesthetics.

The New Yorker

"However, in this case... it is not the most plausible reason".

Independent

The most plausible reason is the existence of the Dutch disease and the structural change that it generates.

Resources Policy

Protection of sources is the most plausible reason I've been able to identify for The Times's woeful explanation in the article and for the silence of Mr. Sulzberger and Mr. Keller.

The New York Times

The most plausible reason I can think of for this reticence is that Slovenia's rulers and the commission's top officials do not want to be reminded of their own complicity in crimes against humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

One juror who declined to give his name said he voted to convict, because given "the totality of the evidence, what was the most plausible reason she could have died".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

To this purpose the various interconnections between the main damaging causes are discussed in order to evidence the most plausible reasons of back plate malfunctioning.

Fusion Engineering and Design

The most plausible reasons for the difference in effect size between the intact and operated limbs are altered weight bearing or intramedullary edema.

Acta Orthopaedica

The two most plausible reasons are 1) a stress-mediated immune response, or 2) overlap with non-immune mediated DAF-2 insulin signaling.

BMC Genomics

One of the most plausible reasons behind such observation, as also mentioned by others, is the different nature of cell wall among Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria [ 11]; however efflux pump system of Gram-negative bacteria may mediate for such difference [ 12].

BioMed Research International

The most plausible reasons why we were unable to detect linkage between the small groups and other linkage groups is likely an effect of the small mapping population and limited number of markers, and as a consequence markers flanking the gaps can be too far apart, contain too little information, or are separated by a region of high recombination rate.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most plausible reason", ensure that you have considered multiple possible explanations and are presenting the one that is best supported by evidence or logic. It is vital to provide context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "most plausible reason" as a definitive fact without sufficient support. Instead, acknowledge it as the most likely explanation based on the available information, leaving room for alternative interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most plausible reason" functions as a noun phrase that serves to identify the explanation or justification that is considered the most believable or likely among several possibilities. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting, where it introduces the most credible explanation for a given phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most plausible reason" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to introduce the most likely or credible explanation for a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is employed across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. To effectively use this phrase, ensure that you have evaluated multiple explanations and present the selected reason with supporting evidence. While "most plausible reason" is versatile, alternatives such as "most likely explanation" or "most credible reason" can add nuance. Remember that while presenting the "most plausible reason", you must ensure that you avoid overstating without sufficient supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely explanation

Focuses on likelihood rather than plausibility, indicating the explanation that is most probable.

most credible explanation

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the explanation.

most reasonable explanation

Highlights the logical and rational aspect of the explanation.

best explanation

A more general term indicating the superior quality of the explanation compared to others.

strongest explanation

Suggests that the explanation is well-supported by evidence and reasoning.

most convincing reason

Highlights the persuasiveness of the reason.

primary reason

Indicates the main cause or justification.

main justification

Emphasizes the act of providing reasons to support something.

most valid justification

Focuses on the legitimacy and correctness of the provided justification.

underlying reason

Indicates a fundamental or foundational reason.

FAQs

What does "most plausible reason" mean?

The phrase "most plausible reason" refers to the explanation or justification that seems the most likely or credible given the available information and evidence.

How can I use "most plausible reason" in a sentence?

You can use "most plausible reason" to introduce the explanation that you believe is the most likely. For example: "After reviewing the data, the "most plausible reason" for the increase in sales is the new marketing campaign."

Which is correct, "most plausible reason" or "most probable reason"?

Both "most plausible reason" and "most probable reason" are correct and similar in meaning. However, "most plausible reason" emphasizes credibility and believability, while "most probable reason" emphasizes likelihood and statistical chance. The choice depends on the specific context. Consider using "most probable reason" when discussing likelihood.

What are some alternatives to "most plausible reason"?

Some alternatives to "most plausible reason" include "most likely explanation", "most credible explanation", or "most reasonable explanation". You can use "most likely explanation" if you want to discuss likelihood.