no given reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no given reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there is no specific explanation or justification provided for a situation or decision. Example: "The event was canceled with no given reason, leaving attendees confused and disappointed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After the relaxed opening sequence we watch Ms. Liden throw out — with increasing effort and vehemence, and for no given reason — all kinds of unidentified things, possibly with personal associations, and with no hope of recovery.

The New York Times - Arts

A total of 7121 questionnaires were sent out at baseline; 2394 women did not return the questionnaire for no given reason.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At the last minute, HSBC said no, giving reasons that had nothing to do with the couple's finances or their new house.

The New York Times

If you are deciding "no", give the true reason.

WikiHow

Gives reason.

The New Yorker

If they still say no then ask why, give reasons to say yes etc.

WikiHow

They were given no reason for their arrest.

BBC

They were given no reason or charge for their arrest.

Wikipedia

No reason given for him being held.

Independent

Commissions canceled with no reason given.

The New York Times - Magazine

No reason given.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no given reason" to clearly indicate that no explanation was provided, especially when highlighting a lack of transparency or justification.

Common error

Avoid using "no given reason" when the reason is actually implied or understood within the context. Instead, ensure it genuinely reflects a lack of explicit explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no given reason" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (e.g., decision, action, cancellation) to indicate that there was an absence of explanation. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes the lack of a stated or known cause. The examples show its usage across various contexts where transparency is absent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no given reason" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the absence of an explanation or justification for something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. While not as common as "no reason given", it effectively conveys a lack of transparency or clarity. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in science and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the lack of explanation is the primary point you want to emphasize, and consider alternatives like "without explanation" or "for no apparent reason" if a slightly different nuance is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without explanation

Focuses on the absence of an explanation.

for no apparent reason

Highlights the lack of an obvious cause.

without any justification

Emphasizes the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

unaccountably

Uses an adverb to convey the lack of accountability or explanation.

for reasons unknown

Emphasizes that the reasons are not known or revealed.

inexplicably

Highlights the mysterious or baffling nature of the situation.

with no stated cause

Highlights that the cause has not been declared.

for no discernible motive

Emphasizes the absence of a clear motive.

arbitrarily

Focuses on the random and unsupported nature of the action.

unprompted

Highlights that it happened without any cues or requests.

FAQs

How can I use "no given reason" in a sentence?

You can use "no given reason" to indicate the absence of an explanation for an action or event. For example: "The project was cancelled with "no given reason", leaving the team confused".

What are some alternatives to "no given reason"?

Alternatives include "without explanation", "for no apparent reason", or "inexplicably". Choose the one that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "no reason given" or "no given reason"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "no reason given" is more common. "No given reason" is less frequent but still grammatically correct and understandable. The choice depends on your preferred style and context.

What does it mean when something happens for "no given reason"?

It means that there was no explanation provided or known for why something occurred. It suggests a lack of transparency or a potentially arbitrary decision.