what's the reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"What's the reason?" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone why something is happening or why someone has done something. For example, "What's the reason you're not attending the meeting?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I don't know what's the reason to trade all those kids.

The New York Times

How do you know what's the reason customers change their minds?" says Rapoport.

TechCrunch

Okay, fine, so what's the reason why?

Vice

It's bloodcurdling, and what's the reason?

Independent

"They don't say what's the reason, but it's basically protectionism," says Li Chow, Sony Pictures' general manager in China.

Forbes

"If it's a case of suicide, OK, what's the reason the domestic worker goes to commit suicide?" asks Justo.

The Guardian

What's the reason for this?

The New York Times - Books

What's the reason for that?

The New York Times

What's the reason?

The Guardian

'What's the reason?' is the real question.

The New Yorker

"The key question is, what's the reason why you're grouping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what's the reason", ensure the context clearly identifies what you are asking about to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what's the reason" without clearly specifying what you are asking about. For instance, instead of saying "What's the reason?", be specific like "What's the reason for the delay?" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's the reason" functions as an interrogative phrase, primarily used to elicit an explanation or justification for an action, event, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and accepted way to seek understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what's the reason" is a frequently used and grammatically correct question phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to inquire about the cause or explanation for something, commonly found in News & Media contexts. While maintaining a generally neutral register, it's essential to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying the subject of your inquiry. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""what is the cause"" or ""why is that"". By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately employ "what's the reason" in your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the cause

More formal phrasing, replacing "what's" with "what is" and using "cause" instead of "reason".

what is the explanation

Emphasizes seeking an explanation rather than just a reason.

why is that

A more concise and direct way to ask for the reason.

what's the purpose

Focuses on the intended goal or aim behind something.

what's the rationale

Emphasizes the logical basis or justification.

why did this happen

Focuses on the occurrence of an event.

what prompted this

Highlights the initial trigger or motivation.

what's behind this

Suggests a hidden or underlying reason.

what motivates this

Focuses on the driving force or incentive.

to what is this attributable

A formal way of asking what the cause or origin is.

FAQs

How to use "what's the reason" in a sentence?

You can use "what's the reason" to inquire about the cause or explanation for something. For example, "What's the reason you are late?" or "What's the reason for this decision?"

What can I say instead of "what's the reason"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the cause", "why is that", or "what is the explanation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what's the reason" or "what is the reason"?

Both "what's the reason" and "what is the reason" are correct. "What's the reason" is a contraction and is more informal, while "what is the reason" is more formal.

Is "what's the reason why" redundant?

Yes, using "why" after "what's the reason" can be redundant. It's better to simply ask "What's the reason?" or "Why...?"