the overriding reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the overriding reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the most important or dominant reason for a decision or action. Example: "The overriding reason for our choice to relocate was the need for a larger facility to accommodate our growing team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the overriding reason is straightforward: Farmers gotta survive.

The Washington Post

The overriding reason that humans have to create artificial intelligences is to do work.

Stanford University

The overriding reason for self-driving cars is to save lives and reduce injuries.

Yale University

From the painters' perspective, the overriding reason behind workfare is to slash labor costs.

The New York Times

As for the overriding reason to see the film, that's easy.

The New Yorker

The overriding reason is the gulf between the prosperity of London and the provinces.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He said the overriding reasons to stick to the June schedule were that President Hamid Karzai wanted to do so and because the timetable was laid out in the United Nations-sponsored Bonn Accords and endorsed recently in the new Constitution -- which called for every effort to be made to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the same time.

The New York Times

It was an implicit-explicit way of comparing the viewpoint of a restoration theorist (inevitably tied to the conservationist culture of the Superintendencies) with that of an art historian who had openly espoused the overriding reasons for Gropius' rationalism.

City, Territory and Architecture

The overriding reasons are the weather; outdoor living; good quality fresh food; fantastic and accessible art, history, and culture; dependable and high-quality health care; beautiful and varied countryside; a work-to-live attitude, not live-to-work; good infrastructure yet little to no traffic; and a slower pace of life.

Huffington Post

The failure to disclose that relationship before the trial "provides an overriding reason why the convictions should be set aside," Myron Beldock, the lawyer who is leading Mr. Wagstaffe's appeal, wrote in a court filing earlier this year.

The New York Times

THERE are plenty of reasons why everybody hates Railtrack with frequent, photogenic train crashes and massive disruption to the rail network at the top of the list but there is one overriding reason for the hostility.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the overriding reason" to clearly indicate the single most important factor among several contributing factors to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the overriding reason" when there is only one apparent reason; this can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead, simply state the reason directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overriding reason" functions as a noun phrase that serves to identify the most important cause, justification, or explanation for a particular situation or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to emphasize the principal factor among several others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overriding reason" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the most important factor in a given situation. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it is frequently found in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business contexts. While it maintains a relatively neutral tone suitable for diverse registers, it's crucial to avoid using it when only one obvious reason exists to prevent wordiness. Alternatives such as "the main reason" or "the primary cause" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main reason

Replaces "overriding" with "main", indicating the most important reason.

the primary cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", focusing on the origin or source of something.

the chief motive

Emphasizes the motivation behind an action, using "chief" to highlight the primary driver.

the principal factor

Replaces "reason" with "factor", highlighting the key element influencing a situation.

the key consideration

Focuses on the most important aspect to consider when making a decision.

the dominant rationale

Highlights the justification that prevails over others, using "rationale" for a more formal tone.

the most important ground

Uses "ground" to indicate the basis or foundation for a belief or action.

the ultimate explanation

Focuses on the final and most complete reason for something.

the decisive element

Highlights the element that ultimately determines the outcome.

the determining factor

Emphasizes the factor that is crucial in deciding a result.

FAQs

What does "the overriding reason" mean?

The phrase "the overriding reason" refers to the most important or dominant reason among several possible reasons. It's the key factor that determines a decision or outcome.

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

You can use "the overriding reason" to clearly state the primary cause or motivation behind something. For example: "The overriding reason for the company's success was its innovative marketing strategy."

What can I say instead of "the overriding reason"?

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

Is "overriding reason" formal or informal?

"Overriding reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "overriding" is a slightly elevated term, the phrase is commonly used in news, business, and academic writing.