one reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing an explanation or rationale for something. For example: "One reason why this product is so popular is because it is easy to use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's one reason why.

MIT Technology Review

This research shows one reason why.

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

One reason why we not mate now.

The New York Times

One reason why preschool effects fade out.

Stanford University

McNabb's athleticism is one reason why.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps this is one reason why?

The Guardian - Opinion

Probably not, and here's one reason why.

The Guardian - Music

His persistence is one reason why we are here.

Cornell University

If democracy feels in peril, here's one reason why.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Perhaps that's one reason why it's so rare now?

Princeton University

This is one reason why the libre arc is bending.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "one reason why" with a clear and concise explanation. Avoid ambiguity by stating the relationship explicitly.

Common error

Don't begin too many sentences in a paragraph with "one reason why". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader interest and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one reason why" functions as a causal connector, introducing an explanation or justification. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable. It singles out a specific cause from potentially multiple contributing factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one reason why" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a specific cause or explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing a concise explanation and avoid overuse to maintain writing flow. While it's a valuable tool for causal explanation, consider alternatives like "one explanation for" or "a contributing factor is" to enhance variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one explanation for

Focuses more directly on providing an explanation.

a contributing factor is

Highlights the contributory nature of the reason.

one factor contributing to

Stresses the element of contribution from a specific factor.

a partial cause of

Emphasizes that the reason is only one part of a larger cause.

in part due to

Indicates the reason is partially responsible.

this accounts in part for

Highlights the accounting nature of the reason.

a motive for

Highlights the motivational aspect of the reason.

a rationale behind

Implies a reasoned or logical basis.

one justification for

Suggests a more formal or defensive reason.

the impetus for this is

Implies more of a driving force behind the event.

FAQs

How can I use "one reason why" in a sentence?

Use "one reason why" to introduce a specific explanation or cause. For example, "One reason why the company is successful is its strong customer service."

What are some alternatives to "one reason why"?

You can use phrases like "one explanation for", "a contributing factor is", or "in part due to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "one reason why"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common way to introduce a causal explanation.

What's the difference between "one reason why" and "the reason why"?

"One reason why" suggests that there are multiple reasons, while "the reason why" implies that there is only one primary reason.