ADJ

cogent, good, sound, strong
compelling, convincing
plausible
adequate, sufficient
bona fide, legitimate, valid
wrong
He married her for all the wrong reasons
opposite
Tom's problem was that he lacked confidence; Ed failed for precisely the opposite reason
important
special
chief, main, major, primary, principal
only, simple, sole
The only reason I didn't become a professional golfer was because of my family commitments. I was never good at playing the trumpet for the simple reason that I never practised
real, underlying
She did not tell him the real reason for her change of heart. The underlying reasons for these differences will be explored in depth in the next chapter
very
There is an assumption that a state will protect its citizens. That is the very reason for the existence of states
apparent, particular
He was attacked for no apparent reason
no earthly, (no) possible
Surely there is no earthly reason why you wouldn't want to come with us?
clear, obvious
The reasons for her decision soon became clear
unclear
logical
understandable
justifiable
inexplicable, unexplained, unknown
For some unexplained reason the pilot jettisoned all his fuel shortly after take-off
unspecified
unconnected
dismissal for reasons unconnected with redundancy
personal
sentimental
selfish
professional
commercial, economic, financial, legal, political, social, technical
practical, pragmatic
security
health
humanitarian

VERB + REASON

be aware of, see
We see no reason why this band shouldn't be a huge success
have
I don't know why he did that, but I'm sure he had his reasons. I have no reason to believe that she was lying to me
cite, give (sb/sth), set out, state
Give me one good reason why I should help you. In the letter she carefully set out her reasons for leaving
cite sth as, give sth as
suggest
explain
understand
uncover

PREP

by ~ of (formal)
persons in need of care by reason of (= because of) old age
for a/the ~
procedures carried out for reasons of national security
for ~ of (formal)
For reasons of security, you are requested to keep your luggage with you at all times
with/without ~
They complained about the food, and with good reason
(= rightly)
~ against
There are obvious reasons against such a move
~ behind
We are trying to uncover the reasons behind her decision
~ for
They didn't give any reason for the delay

PHRASES

all the more reason
If he's unwell, that's all the more reason to go and see him
all sorts of reasons
People buy things for all sorts of reasons
any/every/ little/no/one/some reason
I know you're angry with me, and you have every reason (= very good reasons) to be
for reasons best known to yourself
For reasons best known to herself she has turned down the offer
for whatever reason
people who, for whatever reason, are unable to support themselves
a number/ variety of reasons, rhyme or reason
There's no rhyme or reason (= logic) to the new opening hours

ADJ

human

VERB + REASON

lose
He seems to have lost all sense and reason
be open to, listen to, see
I tried to persuade her, but she just wouldn't listen to reason

PREP

beyond ~
He was beyond all reason
within ~
I'll lend you the money you need?within reason, of course!

PHRASES

an appeal to reason
The residents hope that an appeal to reason (= asking the rioters to be reasonable) will end the rioting
it stands to reason
It stands to reason (= it is logical) that she wouldn't want them to find out about her personal problems
the voice of reason
She was always the voice of reason, persuading him not to buy things they couldn't afford