the very reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"the very reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of a particular action or fact. For example: "The very reason I moved to this city was to find a job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first topic is the very reason SLAC was founded.

Stanford University

The taboo — the blasphemy, the untouchable — is the very reason.

The New Yorker

That is the very reason for their success.

The New Yorker

This is the very reason that we age and die.

The New York Times - Science

That's the very reason we created the show".

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps this is the very reason Gove appreciates my work.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is, however, the very reason Maitland's play works".

The Guardian

The very reason people are applying for a job is they need money.

Yale University

"The very reason were asking for the money," he said, "is the very reason they're telling us we don't deserve the money".

The New York Times

Speaking about it puts the very reason for why we are here in doubt.

The New York Times

But free exchange is the very reason Putin sees the Internet as a major threat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the very reason", ensure that the rest of the sentence clearly explains the consequence or result that stems from that reason.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid using "the very reason" excessively in casual conversation. Simpler phrases may sound more natural and less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very reason" functions as a determiner and a noun phrase, highlighting a specific cause or justification. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and is effective for emphasizing the importance of a particular fact. Examples show it introducing the most significant rationale behind an action or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very reason" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the primary cause or justification for something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is effective for stressing the importance of a particular fact. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science sources, making it appropriate for neutral to formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the sentence clearly explains the consequence or result stemming from the reason. Alternatives include "the primary cause" and "the main motive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary cause

Emphasizes the main factor contributing to a situation.

the main motive

Highlights the principal incentive or purpose behind an action.

the key factor

Focuses on the most important element influencing an outcome.

the central justification

Stresses the core rationale or defense for a decision or belief.

the fundamental basis

Indicates the underlying foundation or principle.

the principal ground

Highlights the main reason or basis on which something stands.

the essential element

Focuses on the crucial component that is necessary.

the underlying rationale

Emphasizes the fundamental logic or reasoning behind something.

the basic premise

Highlights the foundational assumption or proposition.

the core driver

Focuses on the main force or impetus behind a process or action.

FAQs

How to use "the very reason" in a sentence?

Use "the very reason" to emphasize the primary cause or justification for something. For example, "The very reason I exercise is to stay healthy."

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

You can use alternatives like "the primary cause", "the main motive", or "the key factor" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "the very reason why"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "the very reason why" can sometimes be redundant. "The very reason" often implies 'why', so adding 'why' can be unnecessary, but can be used to avoid ambiguity if needed.

What's the difference between "the very reason" and "the main reason"?

"The very reason" emphasizes the single, most important cause, whereas "the main reason" simply indicates a primary cause among potentially multiple contributing factors.