real reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "real reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize the genuine or underlying cause of something. Example: "The real reason why she left the company was due to a lack of growth opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the real reason why she's bothered".

The New York Times

There's no real reason why you should.

The Guardian

But there is no real reason why he should quit.

The New York Times - Sports

ReprintsThe real reason why the crisis is back is because the remedy is insufficient.

The Economist

They are the real reason why we have become a cultural landmark in Dallas.

The Guardian - Books

The real reason why we're in Iraq only the privileged few in the higher echelons know.

The Guardian

And perhaps that's the real reason why Obama didn't invite Limbaugh to his conservative dinner party.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet there was only one real reason why I watched Ballot Monkeys last night.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But that's not the real reason why the economic conditions haven't favored Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

That's the real reason why companies tell regulators one thing and their shareholders another.

The Washington Post

That is the real reason why Christianity has become politically incorrect.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "real reason why" to clearly distinguish the actual cause from perceived or superficial explanations. This helps in providing a more accurate and insightful analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "real reason why" when the context already implies that you are seeking the true cause. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Consider using "reason why" or "actual cause" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real reason why" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or highlights the authentic or underlying cause of a situation or event. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The word 'real' acts as an adjective, modifying 'reason' to emphasize its authenticity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "real reason why" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to emphasize the genuine or underlying cause of a situation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and indicates its prevalence in diverse contexts. While appropriate for various registers, it is most frequently found in News & Media. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy, and consider alternatives like "actual reason for" or "true reason why" to enhance clarity. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ "real reason why" to convey authentic explanations and insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actual reason for

Replaces "real" with "actual", emphasizing the authenticity of the reason.

true reason why

Substitutes "real" with "true", highlighting the genuineness of the reason.

underlying reason for

Focuses on the less obvious, fundamental cause.

genuine reason for

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the reason.

basic reason for

Highlights the fundamental or essential cause.

primary reason for

Indicates the main or most important cause.

chief reason for

Emphasizes the most important or prominent reason.

main reason why

Indicates the principal cause or motivation.

core reason for

Highlights the central and most important reason.

fundamental reason for

Focuses on the foundational or essential cause.

FAQs

How can I use "real reason why" in a sentence?

You can use "real reason why" to emphasize the true or underlying cause of a situation. For example, "The "real reason why" the project failed was poor planning."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "real reason why"?

Alternatives include "actual reason for", "true reason why", or "underlying reason for". These phrases similarly highlight the genuine cause or motivation.

Is there a difference between "reason why" and "real reason why"?

While "reason why" simply indicates a cause, ""real reason why"" emphasizes that the reason being stated is the genuine or actual cause, as opposed to a superficial or perceived one.

When is it appropriate to use "real reason why" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to stress that you are revealing the true or most important cause, especially when there may be other, less accurate explanations or when you suspect that the obvious explanation is not the correct one.