ultimate reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"ultimate reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the most important and fundamental motive or cause behind something. For example: "They decided to move away from the city, the ultimate reason being that the cost of living was too high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The ultimate reason why so much of this works is down to Sarandon herself.

The Guardian - Film

But according to Reuters, price was the ultimate reason why he deal was abandoned.

The New York Times

"But the ultimate reason we're here is that the land came up.

The New York Times

Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for American, said that the ultimate reason for a cancellation prevails — in this case, bad weather.

The New York Times - Travel

Perhaps the ultimate reason, however, is simply that in 27 years the CHP had made too many enemies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But none of these was the ultimate reason that the N.Y.P.D. vice squad raided the Stonewall that night.

The New Yorker

But perhaps the ultimate reason to mix work and pleasure is the hope that it could help your career.

The Guardian - Money

And the ultimate reason is the poor performance of its political institutions.California's budget problems begin with a tax system that is out of date.

The Economist

Clarke further suggested that the ultimate reason people make the fundamental attribution error is because they have evolved to do so.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For me that's the ultimate reason for being a graphic designer, and everything else is a more complex derivative of that.

The New York Times

In other words, the ultimate reason that the climate talks failed, that global warming will go unchecked, is the power of America's vitriolic anti-tax right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ultimate reason", ensure it truly represents the most fundamental cause or justification, not just a contributing factor.

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate reason" when describing a secondary or contributing factor. Reserve it for the single, most important underlying cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most fundamental or decisive cause of a situation or event. Ludwig shows examples across diverse contexts, highlighting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ultimate reason" serves to pinpoint the most fundamental cause or justification behind an event or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields. It is frequently found in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, indicating its suitability for varied communication purposes. While related phrases like "primary motive" or "chief cause" can be used, understanding the nuance helps ensure accuracy. Remember to reserve "ultimate reason" for the single, most important factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supreme cause

Highlights the highest-ranking and most influential cause.

main justification

Emphasizes the defense or rationale behind a decision or action.

principal explanation

Emphasizes the leading account or interpretation.

chief cause

Highlights the principal factor that leads to a particular outcome.

basic rationale

Highlights the fundamental reasoning or logic behind something.

primary motive

Focuses more on the intention or desire driving an action.

core driver

Focuses on the essential force that propels an action or process.

key determinant

Indicates the most important factor influencing a result.

root cause

Implies digging deeper to find the fundamental source of an issue.

underlying factor

Suggests a more fundamental, often less obvious, cause.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "ultimate reason" in a sentence?

Use "ultimate reason" to introduce the most important cause or justification for something. For example: "The "ultimate reason" for the company's success was its innovative product design".

What can I say instead of "ultimate reason"?

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

What is the difference between "ultimate reason" and "primary reason"?

"Ultimate reason" implies the most fundamental and underlying cause, while "primary reason" simply means the most important or obvious reason. The "ultimate reason" is often less apparent than the primary one.

Is "ultimate reason" formal or informal?

"Ultimate reason" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.