possible reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential explanations or justifications for a particular situation or outcome. Example: "One possible reason for the decline in sales could be the recent changes in consumer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another possible reason for rejection is age.

The New York Times

One possible reason for cheating on standardized tests?

The New Yorker

One possible reason for this was advice-seeking.

Harvard Business Review

One possible reason for this was people seeking advice.

Harvard Business Review

Which hints at another possible reason for the bond.

The Economist

The scoreboard suggests one possible reason for this.

The New York Times - Tech

A possible reason for the enhanced control is postulated by examining impact behaviour.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

A possible reason for that may be the disregarding of association effects.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

This article fails to include ME/CFS/SEID as a possible reason for fatigue.

Harvard University

One possible reason for the German action now is concern that the suspects might flee.

The New York Times

Another possible reason for the poor bottles we tasted was our price limit.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possible reason for" when presenting a potential explanation that requires further investigation or evidence. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge uncertainty while offering a plausible cause.

Common error

Avoid using "possible reason for" when you have definitive evidence of the actual cause. Overstating a possibility as a certainty can undermine your credibility. If you know the reason, state it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible reason for" functions as a modifier introducing a potential explanation or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It softens the statement and indicates that the reason is not definitively proven.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possible reason for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to introduce potential explanations or causes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and frequently used across various domains, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, consider the level of certainty you want to convey and avoid overstating possibilities as definitive facts. Alternatives like "potential explanation for" or "likely cause of" can offer different nuances. Remember that while "possible reason for" is generally neutral, the context and source can influence its perceived formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential explanation for

Emphasizes the explanatory aspect rather than a justification.

likely cause of

Focuses on the causal relationship and probability.

potential motive behind

Highlights the motivation or intent behind an action.

plausible explanation for

Stresses the believability and reasonableness of the explanation.

conceivable cause of

Emphasizes that something is imaginable or possible as a cause.

one explanation could be

Presents a single explanation among others, less direct.

a contributing factor to

Indicates a partial cause or influence rather than the sole reason.

the underlying cause of

Focuses on the fundamental or root cause.

a potential justification for

Emphasizes the justification or defense of an action or decision.

a hypothesis for

Suggests a tentative explanation that requires further investigation.

FAQs

How do I use "possible reason for" in a sentence?

Use "possible reason for" to introduce a potential explanation or cause, as in, "One "possible reason for" the delay is the weather conditions".

What's a more formal alternative to "possible reason for"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "potential explanation for" or "plausible cause of" instead of ""possible reason for"".

What can I say instead of "possible reason for" to indicate more certainty?

If you want to express more certainty, use phrases like "likely cause of" or "primary factor in" instead of ""possible reason for"".

Is it better to use "possible reasons for" or "potential explanations for"?

Both "possible reasons for" and "potential explanations for" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the cause (reasons) or the explanation (explanations).