please state the reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"please state the reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations, for example if you are asking a customer why they want to cancel their account, you could write: "Please state the reason for wanting to cancel your account."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please state your reason for calling, after the beep.

The New Yorker

Please state the problem for which you would like help.

The New York Times

12. Please state the name of your council 13.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

For example, when asked about whether they thought GIGAME was effective as a learning tool, students were asked, "Was GIGAME effective in helping you learn?" followed by "Please state your reasons".

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Counsel: Will the witness please state his name.

The New Yorker

In any other case, please express the reason why.

Harvard University

Mentally state the reason.

WikiHow

Please send an email, briefly stating the reason for the meeting, to [email protected].

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If so, please state this in the figure legend.

eLife

As a stem, we used "Please state in how far the following statements with potential reasons to participate in teaching apply for you".

BMC Medical Education

Please state your name at the tone".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please state the reason" in formal communication, ensure it aligns with the tone of the message. It's suitable for direct, professional inquiries but might require softening in sensitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "please state the reason" in informal settings or casual conversations. It can sound overly stiff or demanding, potentially creating an unintended negative impression. Consider using softer alternatives like "Could you tell me why?" or "Why do you think so?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please state the reason" functions as an imperative, directly requesting an explanation or justification for something. Ludwig indicates its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please state the reason" is a grammatically correct phrase used to directly request an explanation. Although Ludwig confirms its validity, its frequency in real-world examples is currently limited. It is most appropriate for professional contexts, reflecting a need for clear justification. When writing, consider the formality of the situation and choose softer alternatives for informal conversations. The phrase serves the primary communicative function of eliciting information by prompting for underlying causes or rationale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give your explanation

A more direct instruction to explain.

Explain your reasoning, please

Reorders the elements, emphasizing the explanation.

What is your reasoning?

More inquisitive tone, asking for reasoning.

Kindly provide your rationale

More formal and polite.

Justify your decision, please

Focuses on justifying a specific decision.

Could you clarify the cause?

Asks for clarification regarding the cause.

Please specify the grounds

More formal and emphasizes the legal or official basis.

What's the justification?

More direct and concise.

Elaborate on your motives

Emphasizes the underlying motives or intentions.

Tell me why

Very direct and informal.

FAQs

How can I use "please state the reason" in a sentence?

You can use "please state the reason" to directly request an explanation for a particular action or decision. For example, "Please state the reason for the denial of the application."

What are some alternatives to "please state the reason"?

Alternatives include "explain your reasoning", "what is the justification", or "could you clarify", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "please state the reason" appropriate for informal conversations?

No, "please state the reason" is generally too formal for informal conversations. Consider using phrases like "Why?" or "Could you tell me why?" instead.

What's the difference between "please state the reason" and "explain why"?

"Please state the reason" is more formal and direct, while "explain why" is slightly less formal but still suitable for professional settings.