no reason given

USAGE SUMMARY

"no reason given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an occurrence for which someone does not have an explanation. For example: "The passengers were asked to leave the plane for no reason given."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

No reason given for him being held.

Independent

Commissions canceled with no reason given.

The New York Times - Magazine

Customers who placed successful odds regularly saw their accounts closed, with no reason given.

The Guardian

The announcement had previously been scheduled for Friday, with no reason given for the change.

The Guardian

There's no reason, given all these variables, that a given beer should always taste the same.

The New Yorker

A 70-year-old man with dementia detained at Guantánamo with "no reason" given.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Publication of the series by Viz Media ended with that volume with no reasons given.

Wikipedia

There were no reasons given for not completing the questionnaire.

BMC Medical Education

There were no reasons given for not completing the post-test.

BMC Medical Education

Two women later withdrew from the study prior to being interviewed (no reasons given).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

No satisfactory reason given as to why… Talk story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "no reason given", ensure it's clear who is failing to provide the reason. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "no reason given" implies malicious intent. It simply means the reason is not stated, which could be due to oversight, confidentiality, or other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no reason given" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the absence of an explanation for an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no reason given" is a versatile and frequently used expression that serves to indicate a lack of explanation or justification for an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general reporting. While generally neutral in register, writers may opt for more formal alternatives like "no rationale provided" in highly professional settings. When using the phrase, be sure to specify who is failing to provide the reason to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without explanation

Emphasizes the absence of an explanation.

for no apparent reason

Highlights the lack of an obvious cause.

inexplicably

An adverb indicating something cannot be explained.

for unknown reasons

Focuses on the fact that the reasons are not known.

without justification

Highlights the absence of a valid justification.

no rationale provided

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the lack of a clear rationale.

unexplained

A simpler, more direct way of saying something lacks an explanation.

for no discernible cause

Emphasizes that the cause cannot be detected or understood.

without cause

Directly states the absence of a cause.

arbitrarily

Implies the action was based on random choice or personal whim, without any system.

FAQs

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

You can use "no reason given" to indicate that an explanation was not provided for a particular action or decision. For example, "The meeting was canceled with "no reason given"."

What are some alternatives to "no reason given"?

Some alternatives include "without explanation", "for no apparent reason", or "inexplicably". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "no reason given" in formal writing?

Yes, "no reason given" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "no rationale provided".

What does it mean when someone says "no reason given"?

It means that the person or entity responsible for an action or decision did not provide any explanation for why it was done. It doesn't necessarily imply anything negative; it simply indicates a lack of explanation.