underlying reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a cause that is not obvious at first, but instead is more of a deep-seated motive or factor. For example, "The underlying reason for the sudden drop in sales was a decrease in consumer confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her underlying reason was to prepare him for the world".

The New Yorker

Whatever the underlying reason, his cultivated "Mayor Mike" persona seems to be sticking.

The New York Times

Ben Pugsley, the co-editor of analytics website Statsbomb.com, points out the underlying reason.

The Guardian - Sport

When HOBE was < 30°, the investigator asked the staff nurse the underlying reason.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Underlying Reason: Guilt trippers lack self-esteem.

Huffington Post

And that time two years ago... .. Underlying Reason: Scorekeepers feel uncomfortable about making waves by complaining.

Huffington Post

No matter what the underlying reason, Americans definitely love their road-girding luxury sedans.

Los Angeles Times

Even though this may have been part of the problem, there was certainly another underlying reason.

Huffington Post

Experimental artifacts may also be underlying reason for the low-entropy regions in normal samples.

Plosone

Higher than anticipated infection rate with no clear underlying reason.

BMJ Open

Often, the underlying reason is not known.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying reason", ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify why this reason is not immediately obvious. This adds depth and credibility to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying reason" when referring to direct, observable causes. Reserve it for deeper, less apparent factors that contribute to a situation. For example, don't say "The underlying reason for the fire was the match" if the match was the obvious cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a cause or motive that is not immediately obvious. It introduces a deeper layer of explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying reason" is a valuable tool for expressing non-obvious causes and motivations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to highlight why the reason is not immediately apparent. While alternatives like "root cause" and "fundamental basis" exist, "underlying reason" offers a unique nuance that emphasizes the deeper, less visible aspects of causality. Remembering to distinguish the phrase from immediate causes and clarifying the hidden nature of the reason strengthens its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root cause

Focuses on the fundamental cause, often used in problem-solving contexts.

fundamental basis

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the reason.

core motive

Highlights the driving motivation behind an action or decision.

hidden motive

Implies that the reason is intentionally concealed.

real explanation

Focuses on the authenticity and truthfulness of the explanation.

actual impetus

Highlights the driving force or initial motivation.

true justification

Emphasizes the validity and righteousness of the reason.

primary driver

Highlights the factor that is primarily responsible for something.

deep-seated cause

Indicates a cause that is firmly established and difficult to change.

real reason

It's a less formal way to express that there is a deeper, more truthful motivation.

FAQs

What is the difference between "underlying reason" and "obvious reason"?

"Underlying reason" refers to a cause that is not immediately apparent, requiring investigation or analysis to uncover. In contrast, "obvious reason" is a cause that is easily seen or understood.

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

You can use "underlying reason" to introduce a deeper, less apparent explanation for an event or situation. For example: "The company's failure wasn't due to bad luck; the underlying reason was poor management."

What are some alternatives to "underlying reason"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "root cause", "fundamental basis", or "hidden motive".

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

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "the underlying reason why" can be slightly redundant. It's often more concise and impactful to simply state "the underlying reason" followed by the explanation.