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Reason

Reason for​

We use reason for + noun phrase, not reason of:

  • What’s the reason for the delay? We’ve been waiting more than an hour.
  • Not: What is the reason of the delay?
  • There were several reasons for his strange behaviour.

We normally only use of after reason in the formal expression for reasons of:

  • The government claims the new law is necessary for reasons of national security.

Reason why​

We use reason why before a clause. We often omit why, especially in statements:

  • The reason (why) I didn’t contact you was that I was only in town for a few hours.
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We don’t say reason because:

  • Is there a reason why you just listed people’s initials and not their full names?
  • Not: Is there a reason because you …
See also
  • When as a relative pronoun

Reason that​

We use reason that before a clause. We often omit that, especially in statements. Reason that is less common and slightly more formal than reason why:

  • The reason (that) we need new guidelines is that the present ones are just not working.
  • One reason that the panel could not decide who was the best person for the job was that the interview times were too short.

We do not use reason in the plural with a that-clause:

  • There are several reasons why I don’t like the book.
  • Not: There are several reasons that …

Reason + to-infinitive​

We can use reason with a to-infinitive:

  • There’s no reason to be suspicious – everything, is perfectly normal.
  • You have every reason to demand a guarantee in writing. I would do that at once, if I were you.