reason
1 reasons and purposes
2 good and bad reasons
3 asking for and giving a reason
see also THINK, CAUSE/EFFECT
1 reasons and purposes
- the cause of sth; sth that explains why sth happens: reason (for ※¦/why ※¦/that ※¦) (noun C/U)
Does he have a reason for thinking that? ◎ There's no reason why you shouldn't come. ◎ I sold my car for the simple reason that I could no longer afford to run it.
- an official reason: grounds (noun plural)
He's had to retire on medical grounds.
- to say why sth happens or exists: give* a reason (for/why ※¦), explain (sth), give* an explanation (for sth)
They asked me to give them three reasons why I wanted to do the course. ◎ I asked the mechanic why my engine kept stalling, but he couldn't give me any explanation.
- to believe that sth is a reason for sth: attribute sth to sth, put* sth down to sth
She attributes her success to hard work and a bit of luck. ◎ I put his reaction down to stress.
※ more on explanations UNDERSTAND
- a reason that supports an idea: argument
She presented some very good arguments for using the new teaching method.
- to give your opinion about sth and your reasons for what you think: argue that ※¦, argue for/against sth; noun (C/U): argument
I argued against the idea of having lessons in the afternoon. ◎ What argument is there for raising fees now?
- the reason for doing or making sth: purpose (of sth)
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss next week's timetable. ◎ I bought my computer purely for work purposes.
- a feeling of fear, desire, etc which causes a person to do sth: motive (for sth) (noun C/U)
The police have been unable to establish a motive for the murder.
- something which makes people feel they have a good reason for doing sth: motivation
Having foreign friends is a good motivation for learning a foreign language.
- a good reason for doing sth: justification (noun C/U), explanation (noun C/U)
What justification do you have for such rude behaviour? ◎ She didn't have a very good explanation for being late.
- to give a good reason for doing sth: justify sth
I had to justify my decision to my boss.
- a reason which may not be the true or real reason for doing sth: excuse, (formal) pretext
You always find an excuse for not doing your homework! ◎ He went home under the pretext of feeling ill.
2 good and bad reasons
- if there is a good reason for sth, it is reasonable (adverb reasonably), logical (adverb logically), understandable (adverb understandably)
It's a reasonable assumption that they are tourists. ◎ It's quite logical to want to go on holiday after all this hard work. ◎ She was understandably angry with him for writing the article.
- if you think that sb is right in thinking sth or deciding to do sth, you say that their decision makes* sense, that it is sensible, justified, that they acted rightly, sensibly
If you're so unhappy there, the only sensible thing to do is to find another job. ◎ You were perfectly justified in your choice of candidate. The others were all too inexperienced. ◎ You acted rightly in taking the money to the police.
- if you cannot understand the reason for sth, you say that it is inexplicable, illogical, irrational
It's illogical to post her present if you're going to see her anyway. ◎ I know it's irrational, but I'm really frightened of spiders.
- if you want sb to do sth without having a good reason, what you want is unreasonable
'My husband expects me to go out to work, look after the baby, and do the housework.' 'That's so unreasonable!'
- if there is no reason for doing sth, it is pointless, useless
It's pointless to look for somewhere to live before you've found a job.
- if sth is done, or happens, with no clear reason, it is arbitrary
an arbitrary decision
- if sth is done for no special reason, it is done at random
We looked at the map, chose three places at random, and went to visit them.
3 asking for and giving a reason
- expressions used for asking for a reason: why ※¦, (informal) how come ※¦, what's the reason ※¦
Why did you do that? ◎ How come you're so late? ◎ What's the reason for all this noise?
- expressions used for giving a reason: because/as/since ※¦, because of ※¦, on account of ※¦, in view of ※¦, (informal) seeing as/that ※¦
I didn't go to the party because I was ill. ◎ I like this club because of the music. ◎ I chose him on account of his experience. ◎ In view of the very hot weather, we have decided to cancel afternoon classes. ◎ Seeing as it's my birthday, let's go to the pub.
- if you describe a situation, and you want to show that it is the reason for an action or an opinion, you can say so, therefore
I've finished studying, so I'm looking for another job now. ◎ He is out of the country and therefore unable to attend the meeting.
※ MORE ...
- if you do sth for no particular reason, or without really thinking about it, you can say that you did it (informal) for the hell of it
'Why did you do that?' 'I don't know - just for the hell of it.'
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