reasoning why

USAGE SUMMARY

"reasoning why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain why you are making a particular decision or taking a particular action. For example, “I chose to take a break from work, reasoning why it would benefit me to have some time away.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

If we take for granted this "general principle of practical reasoning," why should we recognize the existence of any exclusionary reasons, which by definition prevail independently of any contest of strength?

SEP

By that reasoning, why stop at 105 degrees?

The New York Times

In The Theory of Political Coalitions (1962), Riker demonstrated by mathematical reasoning why and how politicians form alliances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to their reasoning, why else would you dare to walk off into the desert at night? "Where are you going to go?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For him, as for the Light Brigade, there is perhaps something to be said for simply doing and dying and not reasoning why.

The New York Times - Books

But the reality TV star – who recently completed her merger (read: married) outspoken rap "prophet" Kanye West  – has decided to dedicate an entire blog to reasoning why she's decided to step foot back into the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The vertical dimension is "reasoning-why": you search for reasons why X is bad (you try to reason your way downward).

The New York Times

It also added little to any moral reasoning about why or why not "nascent human life," to use a phrase that both sides seem to find sufficiently neutral, should be destroyed in the quest for medical progress.

The New York Times

I developed an idea from Howard Margolis, the distinguished social scientist who died in 2009, that two basic kinds of cognitive events are "seeing-that" and "reasoning-why".

The New York Times

Our results indicate that by implementing a reasoned dyadic condition where the organization provides reasoning on why they are collecting particular information; individuals are more likely to actually disclose more information.

Decision Support Systems

So the reasoning goes: why should the left leave this field of nationalist passions to the radical right, why should it not "reclaim la patrie from the Front National"?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasoning why", ensure the context clearly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship or a justification for a decision. For instance, "The committee reviewed the data, reasoning why the project should be approved."

Common error

Avoid using "reasoning why" when a simple "reason" or "explanation" suffices. Overusing "why" can make the sentence unnecessarily wordy. For example, instead of saying "The reasoning why he left was unclear", try "The reason he left was unclear".

Linguistic Context

"Reasoning why" functions as a phrase to introduce or highlight the rationale, justification, or explanation behind a particular decision, action, or event. It serves to connect the preceding context with the subsequent explanation. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasoning why" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed expression used to introduce or emphasize the explanation or justification behind a particular event or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English writing. While sometimes considered slightly redundant, it serves to clarify cause-and-effect relationships and is adaptable across various registers, most commonly appearing in neutral to formal contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. When crafting your sentences, be mindful of potential wordiness and ensure the phrase adds value to the explanation rather than simply repeating information. Considering alternative phrases like "explanation for why" or "justification for why" can also enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explanation for why

Replaces "reasoning" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the explanatory aspect.

justification for why

Focuses on the act of defending or providing reasons for an action or belief.

rationale behind why

Highlights the underlying principles or logic that supports a decision or action.

the reasons for why

A slightly more verbose but equally valid way of expressing the reasons behind something.

basis for why

Emphasizes the foundation or groundwork upon which a decision or belief is based.

grounds for why

Similar to 'basis', but often used in more formal or legal contexts.

the logic of why

Highlights the logical or rational aspect of the explanation.

the thinking behind why

Focuses on the thought process that led to a particular decision or action.

the cause for why

Emphasizes the causal relationship between events or actions.

the purpose for why

Highlights the intended goal or aim behind a particular action.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasoning why" to explain the justification or rationale behind a decision or action. For example, "The report detailed the "reasoning why" the company chose to invest in renewable energy".

What are some alternatives to "reasoning why"?

Alternatives include "explanation for why", "justification for why", or "rationale behind why". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. Consider options like "explanation for why", "justification for why", or "rationale behind why".

Is it redundant to use both "reasoning" and "why" in the same phrase?

While some may consider it slightly redundant, the phrase "reasoning why" is commonly used to emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship. It often adds clarity by specifically pointing out the reason. However, in some cases, the single word "reason" might be sufficient. As Ludwig AI suggests, "reasoning why" is usable in written English.

What is the difference between "reasoning why" and "the reason why"?

"Reasoning why" refers to the process of thinking or explaining the cause, while "the reason why" refers to the specific cause or explanation itself. "Reasoning why" emphasizes the thought process, while "the reason why" is a direct statement of cause.