reason
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈriːzn/
/ˈriːzn/
Idioms - [countable] a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done
- He said no but he didn't give a reason.
- reason for something She gave no reasons for her decision.
- reason for doing something I have no particular reason for doubting him.
- reason behind something There were a number of reasons behind her departure.
- reason (that)… We aren't going for the simple reason that we can't afford it.
- Job satisfaction is the main reason people remain in jobs or careers.
- The only reason your parents are doing this is because they care so much for you.
- reason why… Give me one good reason why I should help you.
- I'd like to know the reason why you're so late.
- for a reason For some reason (= one that I don't know or don't understand) we all have to come in early tomorrow.
- For this reason, it's important to have friends who will support you.
- These rules are there for a very good reason.
- The man attacked me for no apparent reason.
- Sometimes I cry for no reason at all.
- She resigned for personal reasons.
- For obvious reasons the data is not complete.
- He wants to keep them all in his office for reasons best known to himself.
- people who, for whatever reason, are unable to support themselves
- for reasons of something For reasons of security the door is always kept locked.
- ‘Why do you want to know?’ ‘No reason’ (= I do not want to say why).
- ‘Why did she do that?’ ‘She must have her reasons’ (= secret reasons which she does not want to tell).
- by reason of something (formal) He was excused by reason of (= because of) his age.
Synonyms reasonreason- explanation
- grounds
- basis
- excuse
- motive
- justification
- pretext
- reason a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done; a fact that makes it right or fair to do something:
- He said no but he didn’t give a reason.
- explanation a statement, fact or situation that tells you why something has happened; a reason given for something:
- The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.
- She left the room abruptly without explanation.
- grounds (rather formal) a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing something:
- You have no grounds for complaint.
- basis (rather formal) the reason why people take a particular action:
- On what basis will this decision be made?
- excuse a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour; a good reason that you give for doing something that you want to do for other reasons:
- Late again! What’s your excuse this time?
- It gave me an excuse to take the car.
- motive a reason that explains somebody’s behaviour:
- There seemed to be no motive for the murder.
- justification (rather formal) a good reason why something exists or is done:
- I can see no possible justification for any further tax increases.
- pretext (rather formal) a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason:
- He left the party early on the pretext of having to work.
- (a/an) reason/explanation/grounds/basis/excuse/motive/justification/pretext for something
- the reason/motive behind something
- on the grounds/basis/pretext of/that…
- (a) good/valid reason/explanation/grounds/excuse/motive/justification
Language Bank thereforethereforeWays of saying ‘For this reason…’- Today’s children eat more junk food and get less exercise than previous generations of children. It is not surprising, therefore, that rates of childhood obesity are on the increase.
- Children who grow up on a diet of junk food find it difficult to change this habit later in life. It is essential, therefore, that parents encourage healthy eating from an early age.
- Children who grow up on a diet of junk food find it difficult to change this habit later in life. For this reason,/This is why it is essential that children eat healthily from an early age.
- Eating habits formed in childhood tend to continue into adult life. Thus, the best way to prevent heart disease among adults is to encourage healthy eating from an early age.
- Eating habits formed in childhood tend to continue into adult life, hence the importance of encouraging healthy eating from an early age.
Express Yourself Giving reasons, justifying a choiceGiving reasons, justifying a choiceIn various exams, you are asked to make a choice and give reasons for it. In conversation or in a meeting, you need to explain and justify your decisions:- There are two main reasons why I think it’s the best option: first, there's the cost and second, the quality.
- I think/believe it's the right thing to do because it gives everyone a fair chance.
- I would choose the newer one on the grounds that it will last longer.
- Of the three houses, the largest one seems to me to be the best, because they need the room.
- My choice would be number 3, simply because it's the clearest design.
Extra ExamplesTopics Change, cause and effecta1- For reasons of security, you are requested to keep your baggage with you at all times.
- For some odd reason, he found it really funny.
- For some unexplained reason the pilot jettisoned all his fuel shortly after take-off.
- For unknown reasons, the ship sank in the middle of the ocean.
- He got angry for no reason.
- He married her for all the wrong reasons.
- He saw many reasons to be hopeful.
- I can think of several reasons why this might happen.
- I don't know why he did that, but I'm sure he had his reasons.
- I don't see any reason why you can't come with us.
- I have no reason to believe that she was lying to me.
- I was never good at playing the trumpet for the simple reason that I never practised.
- In the letter she carefully set out her reasons for leaving.
- Isolation and loneliness are common reasons for depression.
- It's difficult to pinpoint the reasons for her success.
- People buy things for all sorts of reasons.
- She did not tell him the real reason for her change of heart.
- The company's stated reason for firing him was misconduct.
- The only reason I didn't become a professional golfer was because of my family commitments.
- The reasons for her decision soon became clear.
- The underlying reasons for these differences will be explored in depth in the next chapter.
- There are obvious reasons against such a move.
- There is an assumption that a state will protect its citizens. That is the very reason for the existence of states.
- There's one big reason why this won't work: cost.
- They didn't give any reason for the delay.
- This article lists the most common reasons why people pay too much tax.
- Tom's problem was that he lacked confidence; Ed failed for precisely the opposite reason.
- We are trying to uncover the reasons behind her decision.
- You're asking me to help, and that's the exact reason I came.
- dismissal for reasons unconnected with misconduct
- procedures carried out for reasons of national security
- Surely there is no earthly reason why you wouldn't want to come with us?
- We see no reason why this band shouldn't be a huge success.
- You don't have any reason to complain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- cogent
- good
- sound
- …
- be aware of
- see
- have
- …
- by reason of
- for a/the reason
- for reason of
- …
- all the more reason
- all sorts of reasons
- every reason
- …
- [uncountable] a fact that makes it right or fair to do something
- reason to do something They have reason to believe she is lying.
- We have every reason (= have very good reasons) to feel optimistic.
- You have no reason to accuse him of laziness.
- She has good reason to be concerned.
- There is no reason at all to doubt it.
- reason why… There is no reason why we should agree to this.
- reason for something This result gives us all the more reason for optimism.
- reason for doing something He has every reason for feeling excited.
- with reason She complained, with reason (= rightly), that she had been underpaid.
Extra Examples- You have little reason to be pleased with yourself.
- There is ample reason to be optimistic about the economy.
- I know you're angry with me, and you have every reason to be.
- They complained about the food, and with good reason.
- persons in need of care by reason of old age
- He was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
- If he's unwell, that's all the more reason to go and see him.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- cogent
- good
- sound
- …
- be aware of
- see
- have
- …
- by reason of
- for a/the reason
- for reason of
- …
- all the more reason
- all sorts of reasons
- every reason
- …
- [uncountable] the power of the mind to think in a logical way, to understand and have opinions, etc.
- Only human beings are capable of reason (= of thinking in a logical way, etc.).
- to lose your reason (= become mentally ill)
- the conflict between faith and reason
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2- He seems to have lost all sense and reason.
- He was beyond all reason.
- We possess the human faculty of reason.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- human
- lose
- be open to
- listen to
- …
- beyond reason
- within reason
- an appeal to reason
- faculty of reason
- sense of reason
- …
- [uncountable] what is possible, practical or right
- I can't get her to listen to reason.
- Why can't they see reason?
- Look, you're supposed to be the voice of reason here.
- Keith appears to be open to reason (= to be willing to accept sensible advice).
- within reason He's looking for a job and he's willing to do anything within reason.
Extra Examples- I'm willing to do anything — within reason — to get my case heard.
- I'll lend you the money you need—within reason, of course!
- The residents hope that an appeal to reason will end the rioting.
- Sometimes he does things that defy reason.
- I tried to persuade her, but she just wouldn't listen to reason.
- She was always the voice of reason, persuading him not to buy things they couldn't afford.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- human
- lose
- be open to
- listen to
- …
- beyond reason
- within reason
- an appeal to reason
- faculty of reason
- sense of reason
- …
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French reisun (noun), raisoner (verb), from a variant of Latin ratio(n-), from the verb reri ‘consider’.
Idioms
it stands to reason
- (informal) it must be clear to any sensible person who thinks about it
- It stands to reason that they'll leave if you don't pay them enough.
- It stands to reason that she wouldn't want them to find out about her personal problems.
there’s no rhyme or reason to/for something | without rhyme or reason
- if there is no rhyme or reason to something or it happens without rhyme or reason, it happens in a way that cannot be easily explained or understood
- Suddenly, without rhyme or reason, his mood changed.
- There's no rhyme or reason to the new opening hours.