prior reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"prior reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used in the context of one's justification or rationale for making a particular decision or taking a particular action, based on a logical or reasonable grounds or evidence previously presented. For example, "I decided to terminate my contract with the company due to a prior reason I stated in a previous communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In particular, there was no prior reason to suspect that heart disease might be linked to BPA.

The New York Times - Health

CPB agents can look at anyone's bank details, personal files, record of websites accessed, contacts, family photos, indeed all and any personal and other documents stored on a laptop, at will and with impunity, in the absence of any prior reason for doing so.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is unclear whether they abstained or had a prior reason to be absent.

BBC

Everything in nature happens for a prior reason (1 396.8 9), and this rule applies to both necessary events and free actions.

SEP

In response, it is noted that an activity might be ruled out as an artform on the grounds that no artworks belong to it, and that the question of whether or not a thing belongs to an artform arises only because there is a prior reason for thinking that the thing is an artwork.

SEP

The second point is much stranger and not fully aligned with the prior reason.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In some cases, there are prior reasons to give more weight to some genes in the gene set than others; for example, genes that are more highly expressed might be of more interest.

Bioinformatics

First, where there are good prior reasons for anticipating that the proportional effects of treatment might be very different in different circumstances, one particular subgroup analysis may be prespecified in the study protocol, along with a prediction of the direction of the proposed interaction.

British Journal of Cancer

As we mentioned in the introduction, some pluralists and non-pluralists take realism to be prior to reason while others take reason to be prior to realism.

SEP

Reason helps to clarify why that's the case, but the principle itself is somehow prior to reason.

The Guardian - Books

In France Charles-Louis de Secondat Montesquieu (1689 1755) argued that natural laws were presocial and superior to those of religion and the state, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 78) postulated a savage who was virtuous in isolation and actuated by two principles "prior to reason": self-preservation and compassion (innate repugnance to the sufferings of others).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior reason", ensure that the reason is clearly established and understood by your audience. Providing context or evidence for the "prior reason" enhances clarity and persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "prior reason" without adequately explaining the reason itself. Leaving the reason vague or undefined can confuse your audience and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior reason" functions as a noun phrase identifying a previously existing cause or motive. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior reason" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a pre-existing cause or justification. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. When using "prior reason", it's crucial to ensure the reason is clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "preliminary reason" or "original rationale" can offer alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary reason

Replaces "prior" with "preliminary", emphasizing the initial or preparatory aspect of the reason.

initial reason

Similar to "preliminary reason", but focuses on the reason that comes first in a sequence.

previous reason

Uses "previous" instead of "prior", indicating a reason that existed before the current one.

earlier reason

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, suggesting the reason occurred at an earlier time.

underlying cause

Shifts the focus to the causative aspect of the reason, highlighting its role in producing an effect.

antecedent cause

A more formal way of saying "underlying cause", emphasizing its position as a precursor.

original rationale

Replaces "reason" with "rationale", indicating a more formal and reasoned justification.

primary motive

Focuses on the motivation behind an action or decision, rather than the reason itself.

pre existing condition

Highlights the conditions pre existence.

motivating factor

Similar to "primary motive", emphasizing the influence of the factor on behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "prior reason" to explain the basis for a decision or action. For example, "The project was cancelled due to a "prior reason" related to budget constraints."

What's a good alternative to "prior reason"?

Alternatives include "preliminary reason", "initial reason", or "previous reason", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "prior reason" formal or informal?

"Prior reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "original rationale" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What is the difference between "prior reason" and "prior justification"?

"Prior reason" indicates an earlier cause or motive, while "prior justification" suggests an earlier defense or explanation of an action. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the cause or the defense.