without any reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without any reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act that was done for no particular reason. For example, "He left the party without any reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He voided goals without any reason.

The New York Times - Sports

I suddenly screamed without any reason".

The New York Times

And don't trust without any reason to.

Harvard Business Review

"Why should our people die without any reason?

The New York Times

They murder fellow inmates, at times apparently without any reason.

The Economist

Are they going to kill us without any reason?

The Guardian

"We don't want to scare them without any reason," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Some laugh without any reason and then start to cry immediately," Mr. Pichit said.

The New York Times

I knew people had applied before and failed without any reason being given.

Independent

I could not imagine that people could be smeared like this without any reason.

The New York Times

"Without any reason the police attacked them and exposed them to beatings and assaults".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without any reason" to clearly indicate that an action, event, or feeling occurred without a discernible or justifiable cause. This phrase is useful for emphasizing the unexpected or arbitrary nature of something.

Common error

While "without any reason" is a useful phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "for no apparent reason", "unprovoked", or "arbitrarily" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without any reason" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of a cause or justification for an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without any reason" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the absence of a cause or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. With numerous examples found across various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation, it's a versatile way to convey that something happened unexpectedly or arbitrarily. While perfectly acceptable, varying your language with synonyms like "for no apparent reason" or "unprovoked" can enhance your writing style. Overall, "without any reason" is a reliable and understandable phrase for expressing a lack of cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for no apparent reason

Emphasizes the lack of an obvious or visible cause.

without cause

A more formal way of saying "without any reason".

unprovoked

Highlights the absence of prior instigation or justification.

for no good reason

Directly states the lack of a valid or acceptable explanation.

unjustified

Points to the action not being defended or warranted.

gratuitously

Indicates an action done freely or without any need, often with a negative connotation.

unwarrantedly

Implies the action is not justified or deserved.

unjustifiably

Focuses on the lack of fairness or rightness in the action.

baselessly

Highlights that the action lacks a factual or logical foundation.

arbitrarily

Suggests a decision made randomly or without a specific rule or principle.

FAQs

How can I use "without any reason" in a sentence?

You can use "without any reason" to indicate that something happened unexpectedly or without justification. For example, "The meeting was cancelled "without any reason"".

What are some alternatives to "without any reason"?

Alternatives include "for no apparent reason", "unprovoked", or "arbitrarily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "without a reason" or "without any reason"?

"Without any reason" is generally more emphatic and common in modern English. "Without a reason" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

Can "without any reason" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "without any reason" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "without cause".