original reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "original reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial cause or motivation behind an action or decision. Example: "The original reason for the project's delay was a lack of funding, but we have since secured the necessary resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original reason for Khartabil's arrest also remains unknown.

The Guardian - Tech

Its original reason for being is no more," she says.

The Guardian

Specifics may vary based on the original reason for a referral or request for an evaluation.

Columbia University

"It's rare that these dinners ever focus on the original reason for being," he said.

The New York Times

"The original reason I signed up is still very much true," she said.

The New York Times

A snub from Kabila ReprintsThe original reason for the sanctions was right and proper.

The Economist

Undoubtedly, the original reason for establishing Tuesday was motivated by concern for churchgoers.

The New York Times

Contraception was not the original reason Djerassi and his team in Mexico were researching the drug.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The original reason for Mr. Jobs's transplant was never publicly disclosed.

The New York Times - Tech

The original reason for exempting all home-care workers in 1974 was the presumption that they were providing companionship alone.

The New York Times

Chicago is losing the industry that was its original reason for existing and has found nothing to replace it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "original reason", ensure it's clear and distinct from any subsequent reasons or contributing factors that may have emerged later. This helps maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid conflating the "original reason" with other contributing factors that may have arisen later. Clearly distinguish between the initial cause and any subsequent influences to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "original reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "original" modifies "reason". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, indicating the initial cause or motivation behind something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

26%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "original reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the initial cause or motivation behind an event or action. Ludwig AI's analysis, backed by numerous examples from diverse sources like News & Media and Science, confirms its widespread applicability and neutral tone, often leaning towards professional depending on the context. Related phrases offer subtle variations in emphasis, while awareness of potential usage errors ensures clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core reason

Emphasizes the central or most important reason.

basic motivation

Similar to primary motive, but focuses more on basic, fundamental drives.

initial cause

Focuses on the starting point in a chain of events, emphasizing the beginning of the causal sequence.

primary motive

Highlights the underlying motivation or intention behind an action or decision.

root cause

Emphasizes the fundamental or underlying reason, often used in problem-solving contexts.

underlying rationale

Highlights the logical basis or justification that supports a particular course of action.

starting point

Shifts the focus to the initiation of an event or process, rather than the cause itself.

initial impetus

Emphasizes the driving force or stimulus that set something in motion.

first principle

Focuses on the fundamental or foundational belief that guides subsequent actions or decisions.

genesis

Highlights the origin or creation of something, often used in a more formal or literary context.

FAQs

How can I use "original reason" in a sentence?

You can use "original reason" to indicate the primary motivation or cause behind an event or action. For example: "The "original reason" for the meeting was to discuss budget cuts."

What's an alternative to saying "original reason"?

Alternatives include phrases like "initial cause", "primary motive", or "root cause", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the reason original" instead of "original reason"?

No, the correct and more common phrasing is ""original reason"". The adjective "original" typically precedes the noun "reason" in this context.

What is the difference between "original reason" and "main reason"?

"Original reason" refers specifically to the initial cause or motivation, whereas "main reason" simply indicates the most important reason, which may not necessarily be the first or initial one.