on what reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what reason" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when asking for the justification or basis for a particular action or decision, but the correct form would be "for what reason" or "on what grounds." Example: "Can you explain on what reason you made that decision?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Such demonic efforts may include mistaken beliefs about what belief is based on what reason.

SEP

Second, a free will is able to refrain from acting on what reason presents to it as best to do.

SEP

He makes a brief appearance in Smallville: Dragon, only to acknowledge to Lex that he used Renata, an old girlfriend of Lex's, to get close to Lex in an effort to test him, though he does not elaborate on what reason he was testing Lex.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But much depends on what reasons the justices give.

The Economist

Some of the most significant and compelling arguments for and against versions of internalism are therefore extensional, that is to say, based on what reasons agents actually have.

SEP

A natural way to understand this idea is as the complaint that external reasons theorists leave us with too few constraints on what reasons could be, and hence are able to make whatever claims about reasons they want (so long as they endorse them in a serious enough tone of voice, perhaps), with no independent way of checking their plausibility.

SEP

(4) and (5) are the important claims for present purposes: making the same choices as your friend, if done consistently, depends on having a similar outlook on what reasons there are so to choose, and this point is reinforced in (5) given Aristotle's understanding of pleasure and pain as evaluative and so as revealing what is (apparently) good and bad.

SEP

Central to the framework is the acceptance that people may justifiably disagree on what reasons to consider when priorities are made.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Central to the theory is the acceptance that people may justifiably disagree on what reasons are relevant to consider when priorities are set.

Global Health Action

"We don't put numbers on our jerseys; for what reason, I don't know.

The Guardian - Sport

Who needs to do so and for what reason?" On his love life: "One of my friends in Europe, a big boss, asked me recently: "Listen, do you have love in your life?" I said: "What do you mean?" He said: "Do you love anyone?" I said: "Oh, yes".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "for what reason" or "on what grounds" instead of "on what reason" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "on" when "for" is the correct preposition to inquire about the reason for an action or decision. "On" typically indicates a surface or condition, while "for" indicates purpose or cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what reason" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase intended to seek the basis or justification for an action or decision. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on what reason" attempts to inquire about the justification or basis for something, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect. Standard English alternatives like "for what reason" or "on what grounds" are preferred. Its rare occurrence and lack of authoritative usage further suggest avoiding this phrase in formal writing. When seeking to understand motivations, clarity and grammatical correctness are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for what reason

Replaces the preposition "on" with "for", resulting in a grammatically correct and more common phrasing.

on what grounds

Substitutes "reason" with "grounds", providing a more formal and grammatically sound alternative to express the basis for something.

based on what rationale

Emphasizes the logical basis or justification, replacing "reason" with the more formal "rationale".

by what justification

Focuses on the act of justifying, offering a more active and formal alternative.

upon what basis

Uses "upon" instead of "on" and replaces "reason" with "basis", providing a more formal option.

on what account

Offers a more concise way to ask for an explanation or reason.

on whose authority

Shifts the focus to the source of the justification, questioning the legitimacy of the reason.

on what principle

Highlights the underlying rule or belief that supports the reason.

on what pretext

Implies that the stated reason might be a false or misleading excuse.

on what plea

Suggests the reason is presented as a defense or excuse, often in a legal context.

FAQs

What's the correct way to ask about the cause of something, "on what reason" or "for what reason"?

"For what reason" is the grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to inquire about the cause or justification of something. "On what reason" is not standard English.

Is there a more formal alternative to "on what reason"?

Yes, a more formal alternative is "on what grounds". It's suitable for legal, academic, or professional contexts.

When can I use "on what"?

You can use "on what" when referring to a basis or condition, but not when asking for a cause or justification. For example, "The decision depends on what evidence is presented."

What does "on what account" mean?

"On what account" is similar to "for what reason" and asks for an explanation or justification. It's often used in formal contexts.