without good reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without good reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to point out that something was done without justification or without an explanation. For example: "The children were sent to their rooms without good reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I kept changing direction without good reason.

The New York Times

Hand out business cards without good reason.

The Guardian

"Usually bands aren't famous without good reason.

The Guardian - Music

Stopping and searching people without good reason is unconstitutional.

The New York Times

It's wrong to capitalise on our disgust without good reason.

Independent

Yet 2.6m still claim incapacity benefit, many without good reason.

The Economist

And there they sat for decades, not without good reason.

The New York Times - Books

Their endorsements did not happen without good reason.

The Washington Post

Of course, monopolists can be predatory without good reason.

The New Yorker

Not without good reason did Rise become known as "Kenstock".

The Guardian - Opinion

it would be a great pity to separate them without good reason.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without good reason" to clearly indicate that an action, decision, or situation lacks adequate justification or explanation. This phrase is effective in formal and informal contexts to express disapproval or question the rationality behind something.

Common error

While versatile, "without good reason" can sound overly formal in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "for no reason" or "unnecessarily" to maintain a natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without good reason" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to express the absence of a valid justification for an action or state. As Ludwig AI suggests, it points out when something is done without proper justification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without good reason" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that something lacks adequate justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its frequency is very common, especially in News & Media, academic, and scientific contexts. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives to maintain a natural tone. Remember that the core function is to question rationality or express disapproval when a valid explanation is missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without justification

This alternative directly replaces "good reason" with "justification", maintaining a formal tone.

without cause

This alternative is a more concise way of saying there was no valid reason.

without a valid explanation

This alternative specifies the absence of a proper explanation.

for no good cause

Adds emphasis on the lack of a beneficial or morally sound reason.

unjustifiably

This alternative is a single-word adverb that directly conveys the lack of justification.

without a sufficient basis

This alternative focuses on the lack of adequate grounds or support for the action.

for no apparent reason

This alternative suggests that the reason is not easily discernible or obvious.

unwarrantedly

This alternative emphasizes that the action was not deserved or merited.

arbitrarily

This alternative implies a decision made without any rational basis.

unduly

This alternative suggests that the action was excessive or unwarranted.

FAQs

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

You can use "without good reason" to indicate that something was done without proper justification, as in "The project was cancelled "without good reason"".

What are some alternatives to "without good reason"?

Some alternatives include "unjustifiably", "without justification", or "for no apparent reason", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Without good reason" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. While "without a good reason" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What's the difference between "without good reason" and "unnecessarily"?

"Without good reason" implies a lack of justification, while "unnecessarily" suggests that something was done when it wasn't required. They both denote a lack of need, but their focus is slightly different.