the primary reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the main cause or motivation behind a particular situation or action. Example: "The primary reason for the project's delay was a lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The primary reason for this has been portability.

The Guardian

But it's not the primary reason for buying it.

The Guardian - Tech

The primary reason for seceding, the mayor said, is money.

The New York Times

Libidinal inequality is probably the primary reason for marital discord.

The New York Times - Health

"The primary reason for a new arena is to increase revenues," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, the primary reason for emergency room delays is a lack of inpatient beds.

The New York Times

Falling semiconductor exports were the primary reason for a sharp decline in Korea's trade surplus.

The New York Times

The primary reason for going to a physician is not privacy.

The New York Times

It is generally agreed that pitching is the primary reason for the Cubs' rise.

The New York Times - Sports

The primary reason for Newton's lackluster passing numbers has been his supporting cast.

The Guardian - Sport

The primary reason for that is that he has scored goals in industrial quantities.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary reason for", ensure that the reason you are highlighting is indeed the most significant one, and not just a contributing factor. Clarity and accuracy are crucial.

Common error

Avoid attributing a complex outcome to a single "primary reason" when multiple factors are at play. Acknowledge contributing factors to provide a more nuanced and accurate explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary reason for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies and emphasizes the principal cause or motivation behind a particular situation or action. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary reason for" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the most significant cause or motive behind a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. Its frequent occurrence in News & Media and Science underscores its reliability, although it may be important to use alternative expressions to provide a more nuanced perspective or avoid redundancy. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it is crucial to ensure that the stated reason is indeed the most influential one for accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main cause of

Replaces "primary" with "main", emphasizing the principal cause.

the chief reason for

Substitutes "primary" with "chief", highlighting the most important reason.

the principal motive for

Replaces "reason" with "motive", focusing on the driving force.

the underlying cause of

Emphasizes the fundamental or root cause, rather than the immediate one.

the major factor in

Shifts focus to a "factor" rather than a "reason", implying a contributing element.

the key factor for

Similar to "major factor", but highlights the "key" contributing element.

the driving force behind

Focuses on what propels or motivates a particular action or outcome.

the primary driver of

Focuses on the active agent causing something to occur.

the root of the problem

Indicates the origin or source of a problem, often more fundamental.

the genesis of

Highlights the origin or beginning of something, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "the primary reason for" to introduce the main cause or motive behind a situation or action. For example, "The primary reason for the project's delay was a lack of funding".

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

You can use alternatives like "the main cause of", "the chief reason for", or "the principal motive for", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the primary reason is because"?

While commonly used, "the primary reason is because" can be considered redundant. A more concise alternative is "the primary reason is" or "the reason is" followed by the explanation.

What's the difference between "the primary reason" and "a reason"?

"The primary reason" indicates the most important or significant reason among multiple possibilities, while "a reason" simply introduces one possible explanation without necessarily being the most important.