top reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top reason for" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the primary motivation or justification for something. An example is: "The top reason for choosing this product is its durability." Alternative expressions include "main reason for" and "primary reason for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the majority of those interviewed perceive the lack of jobs and unemployment as the top reason for joining Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

For children ages 1 through 12, the top reason for hospitalizations — 23percentt — is respiratory system disease, usually asthma.

The New York Times

Another top reason for delays is the subway's antiquated signal system, some of which dates back to the 1930s.

The New York Times

The top reason for Alarmed non-Latinos (31%) and English-language Latinos (30%) is preventing the destruction of most life on the planet.

Yale University

A 2011 poll by YouGov found the "cost in human lives" the top reason for opposing the war.A single column cannot offer a scientific survey of this phenomenon.

The Economist

A study finds that freedom is the top reason for quitting and that millennials want to be entrepreneurs (but that doesn't always mean starting businesses).

The New York Times

According to the Ali Forney Center, there are 200,000 homeless LGBTQ youths in the US, and the top reason for their homelessness is homophobia and family rejection.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to the 2016 Global Mobility Trends survey, family concerns are the top reason for expat assignment refusal, followed by concerns about the trailing partner's career.

Harvard Business Review

A Brides magazine study this year indicated that about 15 percent of its readers had a destination wedding, and that a top reason for choosing one was, perhaps surprisingly, to keep costs down.

The New York Times

Viewers were informed repeatedly that mental illness was the top reason for people taking time off work; how much it costs the economy per year, per month, per day; how many "working days are lost to" depression.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1999, twenty-six per cent of gun owners cited personal protection as their top reason for buying a gun; by 2013, self-defense was cited more than any other reason.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "top reason for", ensure it directly and clearly identifies the primary factor. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details and evidence to support your claim. For example, instead of saying "The top reason for the decline was the economy", specify "The top reason for the decline in sales was the decrease in consumer spending due to the economic recession".

Common error

Avoid presenting secondary factors as the "top reason for". Ensure that the reason you highlight is genuinely the most influential and supported by the available evidence. Misrepresenting less significant factors can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top reason for" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying the principal cause or motivation behind a situation or event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its extensive examples, where the phrase consistently introduces the most significant factor influencing a given outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "top reason for" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote the primary cause or motivation behind a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its common usage across various domains, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, indicating its versatility. To ensure clarity, always support your claims with specific details and evidence. While "top reason for" is effective, alternatives such as "main reason for" or "primary cause of" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to avoid misrepresenting secondary factors as the primary reason, and always ensure your statements are well-supported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary cause of

This alternative focuses on causality, emphasizing the main factor that brings about a certain effect.

main reason for

Similar to the original phrase, this option uses "main" instead of "top" to indicate the principal motivation.

leading cause of

This phrase highlights that the cause is preeminent, often in situations involving multiple contributing factors.

chief reason for

This option uses "chief" to denote the most important or prominent reason.

principal motive for

This alternative emphasizes the motivation behind an action or decision, using "principal" to indicate its primary nature.

primary driver of

This phrase is suited for contexts where a factor propels or strongly influences something.

biggest factor in

This emphasizes the significant impact of a particular element in contributing to an outcome.

most significant reason for

This alternative highlights the importance and impact of the reason.

foremost explanation for

This phrase presents the most important explanation or rationale.

underlying rationale for

This option focuses on the fundamental justification that supports a decision or action.

FAQs

How can I use "top reason for" in a sentence?

Use "top reason for" to introduce the primary cause, motivation, or explanation for a particular event, decision, or trend. For example, "The "top reason for" the company's success was its innovative marketing strategy".

What phrases are similar to "top reason for"?

Alternatives include "main reason for", "primary cause of", and "leading factor in". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify a "top reason for", or are multiple reasons acceptable?

While identifying the "top reason for" can provide clarity, it's also acceptable to acknowledge multiple contributing factors if no single reason clearly dominates. In such cases, consider using phrases like "key factors" or "primary reasons".

What is the difference between "top reason for" and "a reason for"?

"Top reason for" indicates the single most important factor, whereas "a reason for" simply identifies one of potentially many contributing factors. Using "top reason for" implies a hierarchy of importance among the reasons.