the key reason is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the key reason is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce the main point or explanation for a particular situation or argument. Example: "The key reason is that effective communication leads to better teamwork and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

In my view, the key reason is disruptive change.

The Guardian

The key reason is that they are only provisional.

The Guardian - Opinion

The key reason is that Seoul embarked on far-reaching market changes.

The New York Times

"The key reason is the president himself sees the need for a more balanced political system".

The New York Times

The key reason is that they were in power during the biggest economic crash of the past 80 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The key reason is that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 lowered the top federal income tax rate beneath the corporate tax rate for the first time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"My basic proposition was that Uefa as a whole should do it and the key reason was to force change through Fifa," he told BBC Sport.

BBC

As ChangeWave also notes, customer satisfaction is one of the key reason's for Apple's iPad dominance, with 74% of owners saying they're "very satisfied" with their device.

TechCrunch

One of the key reasons is obvious: those who work in the advertising industry don't reflect the diversity of consumers.

The Guardian

"One of the key reasons is to refine the collection, to make it a better, stronger example of a particular artist's work," Mr. Weinberg said.

The New York Times - Arts

Though Allah has created sufficient resources still there is poverty and one of the key reasons is that a few greedy people own majority of world's resources.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the key reason is", ensure that the reason provided is genuinely the most critical and not just a contributing factor among many.

Common error

Avoid using "the key reason is" when presenting a reason that is merely significant but not definitively the most important factor. Ensure that other potential reasons are acknowledged or addressed to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the key reason is" functions as a causal connector, introducing the most significant explanation or cause for a particular situation. It emphasizes the importance of the reason being presented. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the key reason is" serves as a causal connector, highlighting the most significant explanation or cause for a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. While it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business, writers should ensure the identified reason is indeed the most critical and supported by evidence. Alternatives include phrases like "the main reason is" or "the primary reason is". This expression is effective for providing clear and direct explanations, ensuring that the primary cause is well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The main cause is

Replaces "key" with "main", indicating the primary cause.

The primary reason is

Substitutes "key" with "primary", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the reason.

The principal cause is

Uses "principal" instead of "key", highlighting the main or most important cause.

The major factor is

Replaces "reason" with "factor", focusing on a contributing element.

The underlying reason is

Highlights a deeper, less obvious cause.

The fundamental reason is

Emphasizes the basic, essential nature of the reason.

The chief reason is

Indicates the most important reason.

The decisive factor is

Highlights the factor that determines the outcome.

The root cause is

Focuses on the origin or source of the issue.

Above all, the reason is

Adds emphasis to the reason being presented as most important.

FAQs

How can I use "the key reason is" in a sentence?

Use "the key reason is" to introduce the most important factor or explanation for a particular situation. For example, "The company's success can be attributed to several factors, but "the key reason is" its dedication to customer service".

What are some alternatives to "the key reason is"?

Alternatives include "the main reason is", "the primary reason is", or "the principal cause is". Each option varies slightly in emphasis, but all serve to highlight the most important factor.

When is it appropriate to use "the key reason is" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when you want to clearly identify the most important reason. However, ensure that your reason is well-supported by evidence and that you are not overstating its significance.

Is "the key reason is because" grammatically redundant?

While not strictly ungrammatical, using "the key reason is because" can be redundant. It's generally better to use ""the key reason is"" followed by a noun phrase or a clause introduced by "that". For example, "The key reason is that the market conditions changed".