Meaning
Explaining cause or justification
Primary Function
Causal explanation frame
Communicative Purpose
To give a clear reason as the main point
Pattern
The reason why; is that
Core Structure
The reason why; is that
Função primária
Causal explanation frame
Propósito comunicativo
To give a clear reason as the main point
Situações de gatilho
Justifying decisions, explaining outcomes, academic reasoning
Contextos
Presentations, essays, professional emails, conversation
Padrão
The reason why; is that
Estrutura central
The reason why; is that
Slots de substituição
Reason clause (why + S+V), complement clause (that + clause)
Colocados típicos
- The reason is that…
- The reason why I… is that…
Substituições comuns
- ‘The cause of … is …’
- ‘This is due to…’ (more formal)
Erros comuns
Using ‘because’ after ‘is’: *The reason is because…* (stigmatised; avoid in formal writing). Correct: The reason is that…
Similar / contraste
Due to the fact that; Owing to the fact that (more formal)
Interferências
Many languages use ‘because’ in this frame. English tolerates it informally but prefers ‘that’ in formal contexts.
Família do chunk
- reason-explanation frames
Nuance
Very firm explanatory tone; presents reason as key factual basis
Efeito pragmático
Authoritative explanation; often used to pre‑empt questions or objections
Dica de memória
“The reason is that…”
Nota
The reason (why) + clause + is (that) + clause
Upgrade path
“One compelling reason for this is that…”
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