 |
| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | raison, from Latin ratio; RATIO |
| |||||||||
rea‧son1 S1 W1
1 why someone decides to do something, or the cause or explanation for something that happens COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS 
reason (that) reason why reason for (doing) something reason to do something a good reason a compelling reason (=a reason that persuades you) give a reason (for something) for some reason (or other/or another) (=for a reason that you do not know) for personal reasons for sentimental reasons (=because of your feelings, not for practical reasons) for the simple reason (that) for obvious reasons for reasons of something for reasons best known to himself/themselves etc (=used when someone does something surprising) no/any reason whatsoever have your reasons (=have a secret reason for doing something) see no reason why/to do something by reason of something formal (=because of something)
cause
[countable]COLLOCATIONS reason (that) reason why reason for (doing) something reason to do something a good reason a compelling reason (=a reason that persuades you) give a reason (for something) for some reason (or other/or another) (=for a reason that you do not know) for personal reasons for sentimental reasons (=because of your feelings, not for practical reasons) for the simple reason (that) for obvious reasons for reasons of something for reasons best known to himself/themselves etc (=used when someone does something surprising) no/any reason whatsoever have your reasons (=have a secret reason for doing something) see no reason why/to do something by reason of something formal (=because of something)
2 a fact that makes it right or fair for someone to do something
good or fair
[uncountable]3 used to say that what has just been mentioned is an additional reason for doing what you have suggested : But surely that's all the more reason to act quickly.
all the more reason why/to do something
spokenBut surely that's all the more reason to act quickly.4 sensible judgment and understanding [= sense]: There's reason in what he says.
good judgment
[uncountable]There's reason in what he says.6 to be more than is acceptable or reasonable : Their demands go beyond all reason.
go/be beyond (all) reason
Their demands go beyond all reason.7 the ability to think, understand, and form judgments that are based on facts :
ability to think
[uncountable]8 used when someone asks you why you are doing something and you do not want to tell them : 'Why d'you want to go that way?' 'Oh, no reason.'
no reason
spoken'Why d'you want to go that way?' 'Oh, no reason.'➔ no rhyme or reason
at rhyme1 (4)➔ it stands to reason
at stand1 (32)GRAMMARGRAMMAR !! Reason is never followed by of or because. You can talk about the reason for something, the reason that something happens , or the reason why something happens • Can you explain the reasons for (NOT reasons of) your decision? • The main reason why/that (NOT reason because) I'm writing is to invite you to stay. You can also leave out why or that • I like children, and that's the reason I became a teacher.!! Reason is not usually followed by against. When you are giving reasons why something is bad, use argument against • An important argument against (NOT reason against) capital punishment is the possibility of error.WORD CHOICE:
WORD CHOICE: cause, reasonA cause is something such as an action, event, or situation that makes something happen • The cause of the accident is not known. • a determination to tackle the causes of crimeA reason is an explanation for something • Can you think of any reason why he would behave in this way? • There is a good reason (NOT a good cause) for my decision. GRAMMARUse the cause of, not 'cause for' or 'cause why' • What is the cause of all this unrest?!!cause for is used in some expressions such as cause for alarm/concern/complaint/optimism/satisfaction • There is no cause for concern. • His remarks give some cause for hope.Use cause somebody to do something, not 'cause that somebody does something' • A cat ran into the road, causing her to brake suddenly (NOT causing that she braked suddenly). ➔ See also cause
