The reason is…
Specifying the reason
Cause-effect Statement vs. Cause (Reason) Statement
| CAUSE & EFFECT EXPRESSIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
When we want to relate a cause and effect situation, we use — because, since, as, due to, for this reason — to relate a cause-clause to an effect-clause. (That is not included in the cause-clause.) |
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| EFFECT | SUBORD / PREP | NOUN PHRASE |
Jack hasn't found a job |
because of¹ |
the weak economy. |
|
on account of¹ |
the weak economy. |
|
as a result of¹ |
the weak economy. |
| EFFECT | SUBORD CONJ. | CAUSE-CLAUSE |
Jack hasn't found a job |
because |
the economy is weak. |
|
as |
the economy is weak. |
|
due to the fact |
the economy is weak. |
|
for the reason that |
the economy is weak. |
| CAUSE EXPRESSIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
To specify the main reason for a situation, we use — the reason, problem, cause — followed by be . (The cause = X) The effect may be included with a modifying "for" or "that" clause. (That is optionally included.) |
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| CAUSE | BE | NP / THAT-CLAUSE |
The reason for not finding a job |
is |
the weak economy. (NP) |
The reason (that) he can't find a job |
|
(that) the economy is weak. |
The reason why² he can't find a job |
|
because of ² the economy. |
| CAUSE | BE | NP / THAT-CLAUSE |
The problem |
is |
the weak economy. (NP) |
The cause
|
is |
(that) the economy is weak. |
The disadvantage |
is |
|
The point |
is |
|
¹ This expression is followed by a noun phrase. See Cause & Effect expressions.
² The usage the reason why is… or the reason is because… is repetitive, informal usage.
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
"Be"
Specifying vs. Describing
| BE – SPECIFYING A REASON | ||
|---|---|---|
The copular verb, be may be used with a meaning of describing or specifying. When be is used for specifying, it is followed by information that identifies the subject-noun before it. (the reason = X). |
||
| NOUN PHRASE | BE – SPEC. | NP / CLAUSE |
The reason |
is |
the lack of money. (noun phrase) |
|
(that) we don't have enough money. (clause) |
|
|
over there. (adverb /prep. phrase) |
|
|
to save money. (infinitive – purpose) |
|
|
~ not having enough money. (gerund) |
|
|
¹because we don't have enough money. |
|
| BE – DESCRIBING A REASON | ||
|---|---|---|
When be is used with a meaning of describing, it is followed by information that states the quality or character of the subject-noun before it. (See stative verbs 'describing vs. specifying.) |
||
| NOUN PHRASE | BE – DESC.. | ADJECTIVE PHRASE |
The reason |
is |
logical. |
silly. |
||
untrue. |
||
unfortunate but true. |
||
|
|
half-baked. (not well thought out) |
well thought out. |
||
¹Some consider the reason why is… or the reason is because… repetitive, informal usage.
~ questionable usage
Also see Describing vs. Specifiying "be"
Specifying Expressions
List
"Product Review" – reasons for and against
| GOOD | BAD | IDEA | CAUSE-EFFECT |
|---|---|---|---|
The advantage is (that) a dog owner can pick up his or her dog and carry it. |
The disadvantage is (that) the dog may not find it comfortable |
The concept is (that) the owner will have more control over the dog. |
The reason is (that) dog owners want an easier way to take hold of their pet. |
The benefit is (that) the dog's feet won't get dirty. |
The drawback is (that) it doesn't fit dogs with long backs (dachshunds and corgis.) |
The current thinking is (reasoning, understanding) that dog owners are willing to pay for useful accessories. |
The motivation is (that) harnesses are selling well and will make us money. |
The understanding is (that) the dog owner is strong enough to carry his / her dog. |
The trick is tthat we need to get the dog to like it. / to get the dog to like it. |
The feeling is (that) the harness should be a little more colorful to attract buyers. |
The explanation is (that) a handle on a dog harness will provide a quick lifting device for the owner. |
The good thing is (informal) (that) the harness is strong and will last a long time. |
The thing is (informal) that not every dog likes to be carried. |
The idea is (that) the handle helps the owner lift the dog. / to lift the dog. |
The result is (that) the owner will not have to bend down and pick up the dog when going up stairs. |
|
The problem is that dog will get heavy after a block or two. |
The point is (that) this is a very useful training device and accessory. / to make a useful device. |
The solution is that we make an affordable product. / to make an affordable product. |
The thing is…, the thing that bothers me is… – used informally to refer to an important point or problem
The trick (n.) – clever method
The feeling – the sentiment, regard, opinion
An infinitive is used after words that speculate about future potential The idea / point / solution / thing / trick is to…
Specifying Expressions
Article Use
| 0 | A | THE | POSSESSIVE PRONOUN |
|---|---|---|---|
Speakers may drop the article in speech, but it is included in business and academic writing. |
If there is more than one reason, a (one) reason may be mentioned in part. |
If there is one primary reason, the reason is used. |
The words above can be used with a personal possessive pronoun. (The -ing form of a word "reasoning" indicates the process.) |
Reason is |
A reason is |
The reason is |
Their reason / reasoning is (thinking, understanding) |
Specifying Expressions
Propositional Modifiers
| NOUN PHRASE + PREP PHRASE | ||
|---|---|---|
When specifying a reason, solution, problem or important point, a prepositional phrase is commonly used to modify the noun. Choice of preposition may vary. |
||
| FOR | ||
The main reason for the crisis |
is |
that people spent more than they had. |
The logic for this |
is |
that one person's actions affect another person's earnings. |
The idea for this legislation |
is |
that people will not manage themselves unless forced by law. |
The concept for this idea |
is |
that if people paid less in tax, they would have more money to spend. |
| ON / ABOUT | ||
The current thinking on/ about that |
is |
that we all need to make changes. |
The general feeling about the law |
is |
that it is unfair to the next generation. |
The understanding (with them) on/ about that |
is |
that we will support their position if possible. |
| WITH | ||
The problem with overspending |
is |
that it results in failure. |
The understanding with them |
is |
that we will support each other in hard times. |
| NOUN PHRASE + PREP PHRASE | ||
|---|---|---|
In conversation, we commonly use these expressions (1) to claim next-speaker rights (place holder), and (2) to give us a moment to mentally compose the rest of the sentence after is. |
||
| OF | ||
The point of this conversation |
is |
that we all need to make changes. |
The disadvantage of this method |
is |
that it is more complex. |
The benefit of this |
is |
that everyone wins. |
The result of this |
was |
that everyone won. |
| TO | ||
The solution to the problem |
is |
that we need to produce more useful goods. |
The trick to fixing it |
is |
that you have to use the right tool. |
The drawback to your idea |
is |
that it requires a lot of money. |
| TO / OF | ||
The advantage to/ of your method |
is |
that it is simpler. |
*The logic to/ of this |
is |
that one person's actions affect another person's earnings. |
trick (n.) – a clever method
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
| ERROR | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
*The reason we don't like to work on Saturday. (Error – an incomplete sentence) |
The reason is that we don't like to work on Saturday. |
*The reason which I can't find work is there are so few jobs. (Error – which) |
The reason (that) I can't find work is there are so few jobs. |
The reason why I can't come to your party is because my dog is sick. |
The reason [that] I can't come to your party is [that] my dog is sick. |
? The reason why is a funny story. |
The reason why for that is a funny story. |
They are selling their business. The reason being they are retiring. |
They are selling their business because they are retiring. They are selling their business. The reason is [that] they are retiring. They are selling their business —the reason being their retirement. (informal) |
He wants to get a dog. The reason is to have a walking partner. |
The reason [ idea / point / solution] is to have a walking partner. The reason is [that] he wants a walking partnerl. |
? The reason is the fact that he is actually very nice guy. |
The reason is the fact that he is actually a very nice guy. |
? The reason for that is that we have to be on time. |
The reason for that is that we we have to be on time. |
*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
? Questionable or marginal use; used by some and not others.
Pop-Q "Reason is"
Grammar Notes
Traditional and Linguistic Description
Advanced
| TRADITIONAL DESCRIPTION | LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
In traditional grammar, be a "linking verb" or "stative verb", also called copula or copular verb, relates the subject noun to information after the verb – an adjective, adverb, noun phrase or noun clause. The information after be further identifies or describes the noun. Noun = X i. The reason is logical. (adjective)
|
In current linguistic description, be is "ascriptive" or "specifying", and may be complemented by a wide variety of structures; noun phrase (NP) prepositional phrase (PP) adjective phrase (adjP) adverb phrase (advP) a full clause, or possibly a nonfinite clause. i. The reason is logical. ("ascriptive be" – Subject Complement: adjective phrase) CaGEL"Ascriptive and specifying uses of be" 266; Internal Complement in Clause Structure: Postposing of subject 958. Swan 492; CoGEL 3.31, 15.5.iii |
REED-KELLOGG DIAGRAM
|
TREE DIAGRAM
|
CATEGORIES: NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective
FUNCTIONS: Subject: Subject, Predicate: Predicator (V) Complements: (elements required by verb) Object, Indirect Object, Predicative Complement Adjuncts: (optional modifiers) Adj, Adv
Resources
Practice 1
Job Interview
Read (context for practices 1 – 3)
Q: What brings you here to us today?
A: I am here for the statistical analyst job.
Q: I see that you have a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine. Why did you choose to study there?
A: Because I liked the program they offered. It was a good match for my goals.
Q: Why are you applying here at Tzonga?
A: The reason is the Tzonga name. It stands for quality.
Q: Do you own a Tzonga tablet?
A: Yes, I do. The thing I like is that it has great apps.
Q: Which of our apps do you like best?
I like the Compose app because I like to write while I commute on the train.
Q: How would you make it better?
A: The problem is that it doesn't have a voice input feature, and it's not always convenient to use the keyboard to input text or use other apps.
Q: True, the current thinking is that we should move away from keyboard entry.
A: Yes, the advantage is the ease of word entry. The disadvantage is the input for speakers with accents.
Q: Would you be interested in working on the Compose app project?
A: Yes, I would very much, because I know its pros and cons. (good and bad points)
Q: Great. We need someone to analyze its online user data. Have you learned CSSS?
A: No, I haven't. The reason for that is we used SPSS instead. However, I could quickly learn it.
Q: Excellent. Do you have to leave right away? I ask because we have an afternoon focus group that should meet you.
A: I'd be happy to stay and meet them. The problem is that I have a doctor's appointment at 2:00 p.m. today, which I can't change at the last minute.
Q: That's not a problem. How about returning Thursday at 1:00 p.m.?
A: That's fine. Let me give you my mobile phone number in case you need to reach me.
Q: Sure. That's a good idea because sometimes there is a room change.
A: Here is the number.
Q: Thanks for coming in. We'll see you on Thursday.
A: Yes, Thursday. Thank you for this opportunity. Goodbye.
Complete the sentence.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "Check 1-5" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left as you go.
Practice 2
Responding with reasons
Correct or Incorrect?
- Select a response correct or incorrect.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "Check 11-20" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left as you go.
Practice 3
Tzonga Work Advantages
Edit /the sentence (formal usage).
- Edit the sentence(s) in the text box.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "Check 21-30" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left as you go.