overt reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overt reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a clear, explicit, or obvious justification for an action or decision. Example: "The overt reason for the policy change was to improve employee satisfaction and retention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Shafak herself believes the charges were brought for two reasons: "The overt reason is my latest novel and the critical tone of the book.

The Guardian - Books

The overt reason for the war is a strip of land with no particular value along the border of the two nations, which split amicably in 1991 after rebels from both Ethiopia and what was then the Eritrean region of Ethiopia defeated the regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam.

The New York Times

The phrase entered young society's vocabulary while giving Elvis an overt reason continue honing sexy moves.

Huffington Post

Without fanfare, explanation or overt reason, the family crisis dissolves and the sisters' relationship gently and firmly marches on.

Huffington Post

There is an overt reason for choosing to focus on Bergdahl's beard but not the beards of Duck Dynasty stars.

Huffington Post

While there is no overt reason to conclude that they are racists, (if that sentence seems luke-warm, take a look at Hillary's own concession that Obama is not a Muslim), there is every possible reason to label the Clintons opportunists of the very first order.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

While religious conflict appeared to be the overt cause of violence, analysts cautioned that the more-important reasons for the violence were poverty and economic marginalization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1947, the partition of the British colonial Empire into India and Pakistan had overt religious reasons--Hindus and Muslims hastily clumped together to occupy separate lands, irrespective of ethnic and cultural identities.

Huffington Post

A poet must select certain of her poems for a reason, overt or hidden, and no doubt the ones I chose form a mosaic of feeling that seems real and continuous to me.

The New York Times - Books

For similar reasons, overt aggression count data were summed across spawn periods and phases and analysed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test with continuity correction.

Evolutionary Applications

It is also one reason why "overt money financing" of tax cuts is not entirely crazy.Nonetheless, says Lord Turner, the idea remains "taboo".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overt reason", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the reason is openly stated or easily observable. Avoid using it when the reason is implied or requires deeper analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "overt reason" when you actually mean the less obvious, more fundamental cause. "Overt reason" implies the justification is apparent, whereas the underlying reason might be hidden or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overt reason" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific cause or justification that is openly stated or easily apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overt reason" is a noun phrase used to denote a clear and apparent justification. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable, though it appears with uncommon frequency, as highlighted by the limited number of examples. Analysis of its usage indicates a neutral register, with primary contexts in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Related phrases include "clear reason" and "obvious reason", offering similar meanings. When employing the phrase, it's crucial to ensure the justification is, in fact, openly stated and not confused with underlying or hidden motives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear reason

Focuses on the clarity of the justification, emphasizing its easy understanding.

obvious reason

Highlights the self-evident nature of the justification, suggesting it requires little explanation.

explicit justification

Emphasizes the explicitness of the justification, indicating it is clearly stated and detailed.

apparent cause

Shifts the focus slightly to causation, suggesting the reason is readily observable as the cause of something.

manifest motive

Emphasizes the openly displayed motivation behind an action.

patent explanation

Highlights the obvious and easily discernible nature of the explanation.

visible motive

Focuses on how easily seen the motivational element is.

unconcealed purpose

Suggests the purpose is not hidden or disguised in any way.

transparent rationale

Emphasizes the openness and lack of hidden agenda in the rationale.

acknowledged grounds

Focuses on the publicly recognized and accepted basis for an action or decision.

FAQs

What does "overt reason" mean?

The phrase "overt reason" refers to a reason or cause that is openly and clearly stated or easily apparent, without being hidden or concealed.

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

You can use "overt reason" to explain the clear or openly stated justification behind an action or decision. For example: "The "clear reason" for the policy change was to improve employee satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "overt reason"?

Some alternatives include "clear reason", "obvious reason", or "explicit justification", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "overt reason" the same as "real reason"?

No, "overt reason" refers to a reason that is openly stated or apparent, while the "real reason" might be the actual, possibly hidden, motivation behind something. They are not interchangeable.