root reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"root reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the primary cause of something. For example, "The root reason for the company's decline was its failure to keep up with technological advances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Engineering

Materials Science

Political Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, the root reason for failure is the inadequate sealing ring structure design.

Engineering Failure Analysis

This further elaborates the root reason why the mechanical properties of blend system increase with the addition of PVA content.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

The aim of present investigation is to theoretically identify parameters which are the root reason for differentiation of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on two different pathways with formation on oxide electrode materials either ОН− or НО2− ions.

Electrochimica Acta

"The fundamental reason for content moderation its root reason for existing goes quite simply to the issue of brand protection and liability mitigation for the platform," Sarah T. Roberts, an assistant professor at UCLA who studies commercial content moderation, told Motherboard.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Following these dramatic events, the time must come for analysis and reflection on the root reasons of the tragedy.

The New York Times

Ask for the reason or root cause of why the person felt the way they did.

Forbes

Rather, they are often purveyors of a moral panic presented without root or reason.

The New York Times - Books

Two exposés have fallen flat for what are, at root, similar reasons.

The New Yorker

By Amy Davidson Sorkin November 10, 2015 Two exposés targeting Ben Carson have fallen flat for what are, at root, similar reasons.

The New Yorker

Its appeal to self-respect in young offenders and its widening system of privileges and responsibilities have their roots in reason as well as in humanity.

The Guardian

Sucked into the girl-wants-boy, girl-ought-to-get-boy paradigm, readers find themselves rooting against reason for Bella's heart's desire: a speedy, violent demise, followed by bliss with Edward, 4ever.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "root reason" when you want to emphasize that you are identifying the most fundamental cause of a problem or situation, not just a superficial one.

Common error

Be sure to distinguish between the "root reason" and immediate causes. The "root reason" is the fundamental, underlying factor, while immediate causes are the more apparent, direct triggers of an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "root reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary or fundamental cause or explanation for something. It is often used to delve deeper than superficial explanations, as Ludwig examples suggest, aiming to pinpoint the most basic underlying factor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "root reason" is a noun phrase used to signify the most fundamental cause or explanation for something. Although grammatically correct and understandable, its occurrence is relatively rare. The phrase's purpose is to add emphasis by identifying the deepest, most foundational reason behind an event or situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase finds application across diverse fields, including engineering, materials science, and political science, and is found in a range of sources from reputable media outlets to academic publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying cause

Focuses on the causal factor that is not immediately obvious.

fundamental basis

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the reason.

primary driver

Highlights the element that propels or initiates an event.

chief motive

Points to the principal incentive or purpose behind an action.

core explanation

Indicates the central explanatory element.

key determinant

Highlights the factor that decisively influences the outcome.

central premise

Refers to the fundamental assumption on which something is based.

mainspring

Highlights the basic or fundamental cause of action.

real reason

Implies there might be superficial reasons hiding the actual motivation.

true cause

Directly indicates the authentic causal factor.

FAQs

How can I use "root reason" in a sentence?

You can use "root reason" to identify the fundamental cause of a situation. For example, "The root reason for the project's failure was a lack of initial planning."

What's a good alternative to "root reason"?

Alternatives include "underlying cause", "fundamental basis", or "primary driver", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "root reason" since "reason" often implies a root cause?

While "reason" can imply a cause, using "root reason" emphasizes that you are pinpointing the most fundamental and underlying cause, distinguishing it from more superficial or immediate reasons.

What is the difference between "root reason" and "root cause"?

While very similar, "root cause" is typically used in more technical or problem-solving contexts, whereas "root reason" can be used more broadly to describe the fundamental explanation for any phenomenon.