with no reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with no reason" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to indicate something is done or happens spontaneously, without any explanation or rational justification. For example: "She suddenly burst into tears with no reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Commissions canceled with no reason given.

The New York Times - Magazine

She added, "And he started this war with no reason".

The New York Times

I was very angry with no reason to be.

The Guardian - Film

My sister's passport has been revoked with no reason.

The Guardian

The announcement had previously been scheduled for Friday, with no reason given for the change.

The Guardian

Yet those with no reason to believe continue to believe, vote, speak, petition.

The New York Times

Customers who placed successful odds regularly saw their accounts closed, with no reason given.

The Guardian

Luckily no one is hurt, but the buildings keep falling with no reason whatsoever.

The Guardian

My brother was a government official and he got suspended with no reason.

The Guardian

East, with no reason to lead a trump, selected the diamond deuce.

The New York Times

"I faced the full weight of the state with unlimited financial resources for 12 months with no reason," said Gambacini.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with no reason" to express confusion or disbelief when something unexpected occurs. This can add emphasis to your writing and highlight the unusual nature of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "with no reason" when there is a hidden or unknown reason, but rather when the action is truly arbitrary or inexplicable. If a reason exists but is simply not understood, use phrases like "for reasons unknown" or "for reasons that remain unclear."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with no reason" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the absence of a cause, justification, or explanation for an action or state, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with no reason" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates the absence of justification or explanation. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent occurrence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "for no reason" or "without justification" exist, "with no reason" provides a clear and emphatic way to express the lack of any logical basis. Remember to use it appropriately to convey the intended meaning accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for no discernible reason

Emphasizes the lack of ability to understand why something happened.

without any justification

Highlights the absence of a valid defense or excuse.

absent any rationale

Focuses on the lack of logical or coherent explanation.

devoid of cause

Stresses the absence of an initiating factor or motive.

for no apparent cause

Similar to 'discernible reason', but using 'cause' instead.

without a valid explanation

Highlights that there is no good reason to do or explain something.

unsupported by evidence

Highlights the absence of empirical support or verification.

without grounds

Underscores the absence of sufficient justification or basis.

arbitrarily

Expresses an action or decision based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

capriciously

Highlights that something is done impulsively and unpredictably.

FAQs

How can I use "with no reason" in a sentence?

You can use "with no reason" to indicate that something happened without any apparent cause or justification. For example, "She started crying "for no discernible reason"" or "The company closed the office "without any justification"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "with no reason"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "for no apparent cause", "devoid of cause", or "absent any rationale". These phrases convey a similar meaning of lacking a clear or understandable explanation.

Is it correct to say "without reason" instead of "with no reason"?

While "without reason" can sometimes be used similarly to "with no reason", it's often used to describe a state or condition rather than a specific action or event. "With no reason" typically emphasizes the lack of justification for a particular action. Using "unsupported by evidence" may convey that in a better way.

What's the difference between "with no reason" and "for no reason"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of cause, but "for no reason" is slightly more common and informal. "With no reason" can sound more emphatic, highlighting the absence of any logical basis. You may use "arbitrarily" when looking for a better way to express that.