reasoning for

USAGE SUMMARY

"reasoning for" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to explain why you are doing something or why something is the way it is. For instance, "The reasoning for my decision was that I wanted to try something new."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

@gregjames literally no political reasoning for it.

Independent

The reasoning for this is opaque.

The Guardian - Sport

"I have no reasoning for it or excuse for it.

The New York Times - Sports

It is easy to see the reasoning for that.

The New York Times

I can understand his reasoning for domestic investors.

The Economist

The reasoning for the futures proposal was simple: prices for good Bordeaux wines can be volatile.

The New York Times

Mr. Galbato, the human resources executive, explained the company's reasoning for the annual staff paring.

The New York Times - Tech

At the Thursday meeting, Mr. Medvedev offered his reasoning for keeping silent after the killing.

The New York Times

I've seen some truly bizarre reasoning for why colleagues have been blocked from moving up.

The Guardian

Alan Rusbridger has explained elsewhere the Guardian's reasoning for doing this.

The Guardian - Opinion

The state's reasoning for not stopping the system: It makes decisions based on science.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasoning for", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reasoned about. For example, "The reasoning for the change in policy was not clearly communicated."

Common error

Avoid using "reasoning for" without specifying what the reasoning pertains to. Instead of saying "The reasoning for it is complex", be specific: "The reasoning for implementing the new software is complex due to integration challenges."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasoning for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the explanation or justification behind a particular action, decision, or situation. Ludwig shows it's often used to clarify why something is the case.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasoning for" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce explanations or justifications. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "rationale for" or "justification for" exist, "reasoning for" remains a versatile choice. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what the reasoning pertains to, avoiding vague references. Ludwig's AI confirms that "reasoning for" is suitable for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rationale for

Focuses more on the logical basis or justification.

justification for

Emphasizes the act of showing something to be right or reasonable.

explanation for

Highlights the process of making something clear or understandable.

basis for

Indicates the foundation or support for a claim or action.

grounds for

Suggests a valid or sufficient reason for something.

motivation for

Focuses on the driving force behind an action or decision.

purpose for

Highlights the intended aim or objective.

cause for

Indicates the reason or origin of something.

argument for

Presents a set of reasons in support of a conclusion.

the why behind

Informal way to ask for the reasoning or explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "reasoning for" in a sentence?

Use "reasoning for" to introduce the explanation or justification behind an action, decision, or event. For example: "The reasoning for his departure remains unclear."

What is a good alternative to "reasoning for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rationale for", "justification for", or "explanation for".

Is it better to use "reasoning behind" or "reasoning for"?

"Reasoning behind" and "reasoning for" are often interchangeable, but "reasoning behind" may slightly emphasize the underlying causes, while "reasoning for" focuses more on the justification.

What's the difference between "motive for" and "reasoning for"?

Motive for usually refers to the underlying cause or desire that prompts an action, whereas "reasoning for" refers to the logical explanation or justification provided.