their reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular person or group's explanation or rationale for something. For example: "The student's parents refused to sign the school permission slip, citing their reason that it was too dangerous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their reason?

The New York Times

Their reason was simple.

The New York Times

Their reason for going?

The Guardian - Books

Last night bona fided their reason".

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't understand their reason," Cervelli said.

The New York Times - Sports

What is their reason for fear?

The New York Times

Food was their reason for living.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have lost their reason for existing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their reason is America's and the world's problem.

The New York Times

Their reason for doing so was one of conservation.

The Guardian

But their reason is personal: their son is buried there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their reason", ensure it clearly refers to the explanation or justification provided by a specific group. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who 'they' are.

Common error

Avoid assuming you know "their reason" without explicit confirmation. Always attribute the reason to the correct source to prevent misunderstandings or misrepresentations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their reason" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the cause, explanation, or justification offered by a group, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their reason" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the explanation or justification provided by a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is versatile, appearing frequently in news, science, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly identifying the group to whom the reason belongs. While alternatives like "their rationale" or "their motive" exist, "their reason" provides a direct and understandable way to convey a group's rationale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their rationale

Focuses on the justification or underlying logic behind their actions, similar to reason but emphasizes a structured explanation.

their motive

Highlights the driving force or intention behind their behavior, emphasizing the 'why' of their actions.

their justification

Emphasizes the act of proving or showing something to be right or reasonable, adding a layer of defense or validation.

their explanation

Refers to a statement or account making something clear, differing slightly by focusing on the clarification aspect.

their grounds

Indicates the basis or foundation upon which their actions or beliefs are based.

their cause

Highlights the principle, aim, or movement that they support, focusing on a broader objective.

their purpose

Emphasizes the intended outcome or objective of their actions, highlighting the goal they are trying to achieve.

their intent

Focuses on their aim or design, suggesting a deliberate plan or objective.

the source of their actions

Indicates the origin or root cause of their behaviour, emphasizing the underlying influence.

the why behind their actions

Directly questions the motivation behind their actions, inviting a deeper understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "their reason" in a sentence?

You can use "their reason" when referring to the explanation or justification given by a group for a particular action or belief. For example, "The company cited supply chain issues as their reason for the delay."

What are some alternatives to using "their reason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "their rationale", "their motive", or "their justification".

Is it grammatically correct to use "their reason"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "their reason" as long as it clearly refers to a group's explanation or justification. Make sure 'their' accurately reflects the group you are referring to.

What's the difference between "their reason" and "the reason"?

"Their reason" refers to a specific group's explanation, while "the reason" is a more general term. For instance, "Their reason for leaving was personal," versus "The reason for the delay is unknown."