the only reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the only reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify a singular motivation or justification for an action or situation. Example: "The only reason for my absence was a family emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recurrent/refractory peritonitis was the only reason for catheter failure.

Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy

It's not the only reason for title shifts.

The Guardian - Film

Guns are not the only reason for the Canadian checkpoint.

The New York Times

The Internet is not the only reason for mergers.

The New York Times - Arts

"The only reason for this is that we are Shia".

The New Yorker

But cheap labor is not the only reason for outsourcing.

The New York Times

"But that shouldn't be the only reason for it".

The New York Times

That's the only reason for the civil war.

The Guardian - Books

But that wasn't the only reason for the upbeat practice.

The New York Times

The only reason for living is to hope".

The Guardian - Arts

That's not the only reason for growth, of course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the only reason for", ensure that it accurately reflects the situation. Avoid using it when multiple contributing factors are present, as this can oversimplify the explanation.

Common error

A common mistake is using "the only reason for" when there are multiple contributing factors. Instead of saying "The only reason for the company's failure was poor management", acknowledge other potential factors like market conditions or economic downturns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only reason for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a noun or noun phrase, specifying the singular, exclusive cause or justification for a particular situation or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only reason for" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to specify a singular, exclusive cause or justification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that its use is accurate and doesn't oversimplify situations with multiple contributing factors. Alternatives like "the sole cause of" or "the primary motive behind" can offer nuanced expressions. The phrase is seen often in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. Ultimately, the phrase’s effectiveness relies on the clarity and accuracy with which it identifies the sole determining factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sole cause of

Replaces 'reason' with 'cause' and 'only' with 'sole', emphasizing a single causative factor.

the exclusive justification for

Substitutes 'reason' with 'justification' and 'only' with 'exclusive', focusing on a unique validation.

the primary motive behind

Changes 'reason' to 'motive' and uses 'behind' to specify what is being motivated, highlighting the main driving force.

the single explanation for

Replaces 'reason' with 'explanation' and 'only' with 'single', underscoring a lone clarifying factor.

the one and only cause of

Adds emphasis by using 'one and only' before 'cause', indicating an undeniable single cause.

the overriding factor in

Replaces 'reason' with 'factor' and 'only' with 'overriding', signifying the most important consideration.

the determining factor of

Shifts the focus to 'determining factor', emphasizing the element that decides an outcome.

the root cause of

Focuses on the fundamental origin of something, replacing 'reason' with 'root cause'.

the underlying rationale for

Uses 'underlying rationale' to suggest a fundamental and logical basis.

the key driver of

Replaces 'reason' with 'driver', focusing on the element that propels or motivates something.

FAQs

How can I use "the only reason for" in a sentence?

Use "the only reason for" to specify a single, primary cause or justification for something. For example, "The only reason for my absence was a family emergency" or "The only reason for their success is hard work".

What are some alternatives to "the only reason for"?

You can use alternatives such as "the sole cause of", "the exclusive justification for", or "the primary motive behind" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "the only reason for" even if there are other contributing factors?

While grammatically correct, using "the only reason for" can be misleading if other factors are involved. It's best to reserve this phrase for situations where one cause is clearly dominant. Otherwise, consider using phrases that acknowledge multiple factors.

What's the difference between "the only reason for" and "one of the reasons for"?

"The only reason for" indicates a single, definitive cause, while "one of the reasons for" suggests that there are multiple contributing factors. For example, "The only reason for the delay was bad weather" versus "One of the reasons for the delay was bad weather".