the overarching reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the overarching reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main or underlying reason for something. For example, "The overarching reason for the policy change was to increase safety for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

So let me finish by considering the overarching reason for a half century of increasingly aggressive news-gathering by British popular newspapers.

The Guardian

The overarching reason for their defections seems to be how different life under Isis actually was, when compared to what they had been lead to believe.

Independent

This may be one of the first official recognitions in the state, at least in modern times, that slavery was the overarching reason for secession, said Todd Groce, president of the historical society.

The New York Times

But Ms. McDaniel said that the overarching reason the party and the White House are competing so aggressively is they know Democrats are energized and history suggests they could make big gains this fall.

The New York Times

Alexander Woollcombe, One's UK government relations manager, says the videos give the public a chance to compare and contrast the policies of each party, but he adds: "The overarching reason for the campaign is to raise the profile of international development in the election campaign and beyond.

The Guardian

But the Cartoon Network says P.C. isn't the overarching reason the Looney Tunes star is scarce on the channel (not banned, it insists); rather, Speedy shorts don't make the rotation because they simply aren't a ratings winner among the channel's vast archive of more than 8,500 cartoons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These are the overarching reasons that I think Mr Perry can be beaten.

The Economist

The Democratic party must come up with that overarching reason why we should vote for Dems on the federal and state level.

HuffPost

There are various reasons behind the placement of children in CCs; according to Faith to Action (2014) and UNICEF (2015), the major overarching reason is not the loss of parent(s) but poverty.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

That would change my calculus". Here are, from what I can tell, the five overarching reasons why the White House, and thus the United States, is choosing to do little more in response than send some small arms and lobby a bit at the United Nations for a tepid Security Council resolution that has little chance of passing.

The Washington Post

But an overarching reason for the meeting, Cardinal Stafford said, is to address the cultural differences between American church leaders and Vatican officials, who have struggled to grasp the impact of the scandals and the way they have been handled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the overarching reason", ensure that the context clearly supports this reason as being the most influential or dominant factor. Avoid using it for minor or secondary reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "the overarching reason" if the context involves multiple factors of near-equal importance. It's best reserved for situations where one reason clearly outweighs others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overarching reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the principal or most significant explanation for a particular event, decision, or situation. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources, illustrating its role in conveying key justifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overarching reason" serves to highlight the most significant cause or explanation in a given scenario. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and sees use across various professional and academic contexts, though is not overly frequent. When using this phrase, ensure that the identified reason truly dominates other factors to maintain clarity and accuracy in your communication. The phrase is considered of neutral register leaning towards formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main reason

A more general and commonly used alternative.

the most important reason

Directly states the significance of the reason.

the underlying cause

Suggests a less obvious, more fundamental reason.

the foremost reason

Emphasizes that this is the most prominent reason.

the primary cause

Focuses on the cause rather than the reasoning.

the ultimate explanation

Suggests a final, conclusive reason.

the chief rationale

Highlights the logical basis or justification.

the key factor

Highlights the importance of a contributing element.

the dominant factor

Similar to key factor, suggests one of the factors had more weight.

the principal motive

Emphasizes the motivation behind an action.

FAQs

What does "the overarching reason" mean?

It refers to the main, most important, or fundamental reason behind a situation, decision, or event. It's the primary explanation that encompasses all other contributing factors.

How can I use "the overarching reason" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce the primary explanation for something. For example, "The overarching reason for the decline in sales was poor marketing".

What are some alternatives to "the overarching reason"?

You can use alternatives like "the main reason", "the primary cause", or "the principal motive depending on the context.

Is "the overarching reason" a formal or informal expression?

It is generally considered a neutral to formal expression suitable for both professional and academic contexts. While not overly technical, it adds a layer of importance to the reason being described.