Reason

have reason

Mel and Frank have every reason to be unhappy. He lost his job last year and now she’s been told she might lose hers!

see reason

I see no reason for us to depart from our usual practices in this hospital. We will treat the Prime Minister just like any other patient.

give reason

I could give you any number of reasons for not going to Elizabeth’s party. But just tell her that I’m not feeling very well.

know reason

I’d like to know the reason why you’re so late.

explain reason

He died suddenly at the age of 21 and the doctors are at a loss to explain the reason for his sudden death. A second autopsy will have to be held.

understand reason

I don’t understand the reason why computers can’t repair themselves. I would have thought someone could write a program.

simple reason

Our son isn’t going to university for the simple reason that he can’t afford it. And neither can we.

particular reason

Why do you want to know her name?

>Oh, no particular reason. I was just wondering.

sentimental reason

She kept all her late husband’s letter and diaries for sentimental reasons. They reminded her of all the good times that they had together.

valid reason

Do you have a valid reason for being absent from work or did you just take a day off?

apparent reason

For no apparent reason, the man opposite me in the train suddenly got up and started screaming and shouting. I think he must have been ill.

main reason

The Guardian may be left-wing, but that’s not why I buy it. The main reason I read it is because it reports places that other papers don’t.

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The wonderful weather in the winter is our main reason for choosing to live in Portugal.

There’s no earthly reason why you should feel guilty. The accident had nothing to do with you.

There’s no reason to be concerned. He has a temperature, but he’ll be fine in the morning.

There’s no rhyme or reason for her behavior. One day she’s nice, the next she’s really nasty.

I expect there’s some good reason for them not turning up. I’m sure they’ll phone.

There’s no reason why we shouldn’t win. We have the best players and they’re on top form.

Sue had every reason to be angry. Jerry shouldn’t have taken her car without her permission.

 

Notes

• When you can’t explain something, you can use these expressions:

For some reason, I just didn’t like him.

For some unaccountable reason, my letter of application never arrived at the office.

For some obscure reason, the keeps his money in his left shoe.

He’s desperately ill, but for some perverse reason he refuses to see a doctor.

• Note these types of reason:

She wants to change her job for purely personal reasons.

The man cannot be named for legal reasons.

There’s no compelling reason to act. (really important)

• Note the following expressions:

For obvious reasons we have changed the names of the people in the article.

The building has been closed for reasons of public safety.

Due to reasons beyond our control, the 4.15 flight to Edinburgh has been cancelled.

For reasons best known to herself, she gave up her job and left town.

Why do you ignore him?

>I have my reasons.  (which I’m not telling you)