the fundamental reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the fundamental reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the primary cause or motivation behind a particular situation or action. Example: "The fundamental reason for the project's delay was a lack of resources and manpower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What was the fundamental reason for the failure, according to Professor Hoxby and Ms. Kuziemko?

The New York Times

Fees, or their absence, do not change the fundamental reason for poor take-up by disadvantaged pupils.

The Guardian - Opinion

As they discussed why, I began to understand something about how absurdly difficult the job is, and the fundamental reason for its difficulty: thinking is invisible.

The Guardian

Yet the fundamental reason for the precipitous drop in water supplies is the explosive expansion of cities and their growing demand for high quality water.

The Guardian

The fourth is protecting India's liberal democratic system, which provides the best hope of dealing with the first three, and is the fundamental reason for optimism.

The Economist

"The fundamental reason for all this is that retail demand is way off," said David T. Houston Jr. of Colliers Houston & Company, who said he has been in the business for more than 30 years.

The New York Times

But perhaps the fundamental reason for the prevalence of off-stage drama is that the musical is an inherently artificial form and therefore, as with attempts at non-mechanical flight, most projects are doomed to extreme difficulty and probably failure.

The Guardian

The fundamental reason for this is that China, with scant regard for the complicated and ambiguous historical record, regards most of these specks as indisputably parts of its territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The fundamental reason for that was a politics of fear – people were told in this endless barrage of target mail and telephone calls that if they didn't vote Conservative, we were going to get Ed Miliband and the SNP.

The Guardian

In a 2013 study at American University, the political scientists Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox found that "the fundamental reason for women's under-representation is that they do not run for office.

The New Yorker

He said the fundamental reason for the high court refusing Pressbof permission to seek judicial review last October – the decision it wanted to appeal over – was that Pressbof knew the criteria it had to meet when applying for a royal charter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the fundamental reason for", ensure that you are truly identifying the most foundational cause, and not just a contributing factor. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "the fundamental reason for" when describing a superficial or secondary cause. Reserve it for the deepest, most impactful factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the fundamental reason for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces and emphasizes the primary cause or justification for a particular situation, action, or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the fundamental reason for" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to highlight the primary cause or justification behind a situation or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently employed in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While "the main reason for" or "the primary cause of" can be used as alternatives, "the fundamental reason for" often implies a deeper, more foundational explanation. When using this phrase, ensure that you're truly identifying the most impactful factor, not just a contributing one. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "the fundamental reason for" to communicate with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary cause of

Replaces "reason" with "cause" emphasizing the origin of an event or situation.

the main reason for

Substitutes "fundamental" with "main", indicating the principal but not necessarily deepest reason.

the underlying cause of

Emphasizes a less obvious, deeper cause rather than the surface-level reason.

the root cause of

Indicates the most basic, foundational cause from which other issues stem.

the basic reason for

Similar to "main reason", but suggests a simpler, more elemental explanation.

the essential reason for

Focuses on the indispensable reason, without which the situation would be different.

the chief reason for

Highlights the most important reason among several possible factors.

the principal motive for

Shifts the focus to the intention or purpose behind an action, rather than a cause.

the rationale behind

Focuses on the logical explanation or justification for something.

the justification for

Highlights the reasons used to defend or support an action or belief.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the fundamental reason for"?

You can use alternatives like "the primary cause of", "the main reason for", or "the underlying cause of" depending on the context.

How do I use "the fundamental reason for" in a sentence?

Use "the fundamental reason for" to introduce the most important cause or explanation for a situation or event. For example, "The fundamental reason for the company's success was its innovative product design."

Is it better to use "the fundamental reason" or "the main reason"?

"The fundamental reason" implies a deeper, more foundational cause, while "the main reason" suggests the most important of several reasons. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "the fundamental reason for" and "the rationale behind"?

"The fundamental reason for" focuses on the underlying cause or motive, while "the rationale behind" emphasizes the logical explanation or justification for something. For example, "The fundamental reason for the policy change was budget constraints," whereas "The rationale behind the policy change was to improve efficiency."