probable reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probable reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a likely explanation for a situation or event. Example: "The probable reason for the delay in the project is the unexpected technical difficulties we encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The probable reason?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A probable reason for such coincidence is briefly discussed.

Advances in Space Research

The probable reason was illustrative of his character.

The Guardian

And therein lies the probable reason why BAT was prepared to let me through its doors.

The Guardian

The probable reason maybe exist in the different generation methods used for matrix-vug systems.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

The probable reason is the exceedingly competitive nature of research in many fields.

The Guardian

The probable reason for the preferentiality is migration of the nickel deposition rather than deposition kinetics.

Chemical Engineering Science

The probable reason for this series is the polycation molar mass.

Polymer

Interesting, the probable reason for the enhanced sensitivity was tentatively confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

"Service is not as good there as in New York City," he said, citing predetermined gratuities as a probable reason.

The New York Times

"Now, unfortunately, we sadly understand the probable reason why," Erino Colombi, the association's president, said in a statement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "probable reason" when you want to suggest the most likely explanation among other possibilities. It implies a degree of uncertainty but suggests the explanation is well-supported by available evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "probable reason" when you are absolutely certain of the cause. In such cases, a more definitive term like "the reason" or "the cause" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probable reason" functions as a noun phrase, where "probable" modifies the noun "reason". It introduces a likely explanation or cause for something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's often used to present a considered, though not definitive, explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probable reason" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase employed to suggest a likely explanation or cause. Ludwig AI indicates it's widely accepted and used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in science and news reporting. While other options like "likely explanation" or "possible cause" exist, "probable reason" strikes a balance between suggesting likelihood and acknowledging uncertainty. When writing, it's advisable to ensure the level of certainty matches the evidence, avoiding its use when the cause is definitively known. The contexts of source usage show that "probable reason" is most often found in Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely reason

Stresses that the reason is the most likely among several possibilities.

likely explanation

Focuses on the explanatory aspect, suggesting a reason that is likely true.

possible cause

Emphasizes causality and indicates that the reason is a potential cause of something.

plausible explanation

Highlights the believability and reasonableness of the explanation.

potential explanation

Suggests that the reason is a possible explanation, though not necessarily the most likely.

reasonable explanation

Indicates that the reason is logical and makes sense in the context.

conceivable cause

Indicates that the reason is within the realm of possibility as a cause.

leading cause

Emphasizes that the reason is the primary or main cause.

potential factor

Highlights that the reason is a contributing factor to a situation.

tenable justification

Implies that the reason can be defended or maintained against objections.

FAQs

How to use "probable reason" in a sentence?

Use "probable reason" to introduce a likely explanation for an event or situation. For example: "The "probable reason" for the delay is the weather conditions."

What can I say instead of "probable reason"?

You can use alternatives like "likely explanation", "possible cause", or "most likely reason" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "probable reason" and "possible reason"?

"Probable reason" suggests a higher likelihood than "possible reason". "Probable" indicates a reason that is likely true, while "possible" simply means it could be true.

Is "probable reason" formal or informal?

"Probable reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news, scientific articles, and everyday conversation.