reason for which vs reason why

Both 'reason for which' and 'reason why' are correct, but 'reason why' is used more often. 'Reason for which' can sound a bit formal or old-fashioned, while 'reason why' is more natural and widely accepted.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 22, 2025 • 6136 views

'Reason for which' is correct but less commonly used in modern English.

"reason for which"

This phrase is used to introduce a reason or cause for something in a formal or literary context.

Show examples from the web [+]

And it is the reason for which the children were removed.
The reason for which we actively criticise Belarus also applies to certain countries in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus that even participate in the European Neighbourhood Policy.
In many cases cost is the only reason for which we do not have cleaner engines already.
An entity's own equity instruments are not recognised as a financial asset regardless of the reason for which they are reacquired.
But you haven't written the reason for which you left your position.
That is the reason for which a number of our members will abstain on that issue and will consequently vote in favour of our amendment.
Do you have any reason for which we talk about it?
And, roughly translated, it means "the reason for which you wake up in the morning."
This is the reason for which we have put forward amendments requesting that the executive director of such an agency, or even the agency itself, can make itself available to Parliament or, at the very least, be heard by Parliament.
Reason for which the AbstractMonitoringObject has been generated.
The fund is not reflecting the reason for which it was set up.
The only reason for which we came down again yesterday it is because we wanted to descend by a precise bone.
- that face is due to a reason for which the principal is not to blame.
That document highlighted the urgent need to grant this extension at short notice and explained the reason for which the aid in question was still needed.
The reason for which information is gathered or disseminated forms the basis for the assessment of whether prior knowledge applies or not.
The information must be provided as soon as the reason for which the information is withheld ceases to exist.
This is precisely the reason for which the latter 'power' - of which there does not seem to be any trace in the Treaties - has never been subjected to examination by the Court of Justice.
The need to contain the danger of addiction is the basic reason for which the ECJ takes the view that wider public interests are at stake, justifying by way of exception public sector monopoly arrangements in the relevant sectors.
Another major reason for which we disagree with this idea is related with another issue raised in the Tsatsos report, that of Community funding, which must be transparent and non-discriminatory.
Despite its addiction to environmental protection slogans, the united Europe appears to be ignoring the growing problem of the disappearance of primary forests, the main reason for which is rapacious forest management to meet the demands of the tropical timber trade.

Alternatives:

reason why

'Reason why' is the more commonly used phrase in English.

"reason why"

This phrase is used to introduce a reason or cause for something in everyday language.

Show examples from the web [+]

Many well-meaning writers and editors condemn "the reason why" and "the reason is because" for the crime of redundancy. But that stance (or, at least, ...
Jul 16, 2018 ... President Donald Trump said he doesn't “see any reason why” Russia would interfere with the 2016 election, at an extraordinary press ...

Alternatives:

reason for which

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reason for which vs reason why

"reason for which"

"reason why"

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