reason was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reason was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an explanation or justification has been provided for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee decided to reject the proposal, but no reason was given for their decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No reason was given for the withdrawal.

The New York Times

"No reason was given, of course.

Independent

No reason was given for the denial.

The New York Times - Sports

No reason was given for the rift.

The New York Times

No reason was given for the meeting.

The New York Times

No reason was given for the cancellation.

The New York Times - Sports

No specific reason was given.

The New York Times - Arts

No reason was given then.

The New York Times

No reason was given, she said.

The New York Times - Sports

No reason was given for his departure.

The New York Times

No reason was given for the move.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reason was given", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided (or did not provide) the reason. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "reason was given" without specifying the actor (e.g., "by whom"). Omitting this information can leave the sentence incomplete and unclear. Always clarify who gave the reason, if known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason was given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an explanation or justification was provided. It is often used when the source of the reason is unknown, unimportant, or implied from the context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reason was given" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that an explanation or justification was provided, or, more commonly, that none was provided. This phrase appears most often in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for factual reporting. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who provided the reason, if known. Alternatives include "an explanation was provided" or "no explanation was offered", depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "reason was given" is a versatile phrase for conveying information about the presence or absence of an explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no explanation was offered

Emphasizes the absence of an explanation, mirroring the common usage where no reason is provided.

no justification was presented

Similar to 'no explanation was offered,' stressing the absence of a presented defense or rationale.

an explanation was provided

Focuses on the act of providing an explanation, shifting from the passive voice to active.

a justification was offered

Highlights the offering of a justification, implying a defense or rationale was presented.

the grounds were undisclosed

Implies that the reasons or justifications were deliberately not revealed.

the rationale was not disclosed

Uses a more formal tone, indicating that the reasoning behind something was kept secret.

the basis was unrevealed

Suggests that the fundamental reason or foundation was not made known.

the motive remained unstated

Highlights that the underlying motive or intention was not explicitly expressed.

details were not specified

Focuses on the lack of specific information being provided, implying a lack of clarity.

an account was not rendered

Indicates that a formal explanation or report was not given.

FAQs

How can I use "reason was given" in a sentence?

You can use "reason was given" to indicate that an explanation was provided for an action or decision. For example, "The project was canceled, but no "reason was given"."

What is a more formal alternative to "reason was given"?

A more formal alternative could be "an explanation was provided" or "a justification was offered". These phrases sound more professional in formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "no reason was given"?

Alternatives include "no explanation was offered", "the rationale was not disclosed", or "details were not specified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing why "reason was given"?

While "reason was given" is passive, using the active voice (e.g., "they gave a reason") can sometimes make your writing more direct and concise. However, the passive voice can be appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant.