reason number

USAGE SUMMARY

"reason number" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used in contexts where you are discussing a particular reason for something, and you want to refer to it as a numbered item (e.g. "the first reason" vs. "reason number one"). For example: "Reason number three for the policy change was insufficient resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Table 2 Respondents giving reasons for refusing to pay the given discrete choice amount Reason Number Percent 1 = I cannot afford to pay/I have no spare income.

Agricultural and Food Economics

"There's reason number one".

The New York Times

Which brings me to reason number three.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Reason number one is that the economy is slowing.

The Guardian - Business

And reason number one (advanced in an interview with the Mail): "Most importantly, they don't work.

The Guardian

Yet for whatever reason, Number 10 just doesn't seem to care a whole lot.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The reason numbers are still small is that batteries are incredibly expensive.

Vice

"Two reasons: number one, I don't eat shit.

Huffington Post

(For whatever reason, the number has dropped significantly in recent years).

The Guardian - Sport

The reason the number is not higher is simple.

BBC

For that reason, that number is likely conservative.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing multiple reasons, use "reason number" to clearly enumerate each point, improving readability and organization.

Common error

Avoid mixing "reason number one" with "second reason" in the same list. Choose one style and maintain it for consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason number" primarily functions as a discourse marker to introduce and enumerate a specific justification or explanation within a series of points. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct way to enumerate points, used to clearly highlight a particular cause or justification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reason number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to enumerate justifications, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most common in news, scientific, and academic contexts, serving to structure information and enhance clarity. While alternatives like "first reason" or "primary reason" exist, "reason number" provides a direct and easily understood way to present individual points in a list of reasons. Consistency in numbering style and awareness of context will ensure effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number one reason

Directly parallels "reason number", explicitly indicating the top or most important justification in a list.

first reason

Indicates the primary or initial justification in a series, focusing on order of importance or presentation.

primary reason

Highlights the most significant cause or justification, emphasizing its importance over other potential factors.

main reason

Emphasizes the principal cause or justification, similar to "primary reason" but with a slightly broader scope.

key reason

Indicates a crucial factor or justification, highlighting its importance in understanding or explaining something.

leading reason

Suggests the most prominent or influential factor among several, often used in contexts involving multiple contributing causes.

point number

Similar to reason number, indicates a numbered point or item in a list of reasons or arguments.

the rationale

Refers to the underlying logic or justification, offering a more formal or abstract alternative.

chief cause

Emphasizes the principal factor responsible for an event or situation, focusing on causality.

fundamental ground

Indicates a basic or essential justification, often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.

FAQs

How to use "reason number" in a sentence?

You can use "reason number" to introduce a specific point in a list of justifications. For example, "Reason number one for the decline in sales is decreased marketing efforts."

What can I say instead of "reason number"?

You can use alternatives like "first reason", "primary reason", or "main reason" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reason number one" or "first reason"?

Both "reason number one" and "first reason" are correct and generally interchangeable, although "first reason" is often perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "reason number" and "the rationale"?

"Reason number" is used for itemizing a specific point in a list, whereas "the rationale" refers to the underlying logic or justification as a whole. In essence, "the rationale" is the global reasoning behind the point, while reason number is the bullet point.