reason

Something that explains why an event happens or why someone does something.

• What is the reason?
• She gave no reason for leaving.
• There are several reasons why the flight was delayed.

How to use it: a reason for something/doing something (What was your reason for leaving?); a reason to do something (We have a good reason to celebrate.); the reason why + clause (That is the reason why I called.)

Similar words: cause, explanation, motive

Common phrases: a good reason, reason for something, reason to leave, reason to act

The ability to think clearly, understand facts, and make sensible judgments.

• Use reason to decide.
• Fear can overcome reason.
• She appealed to his reason instead of his emotions.

Similar words: rationality, logic

Opposites: irrationality

Common phrases: use reason, listen to reason, human reason, the power of reason

To think carefully about facts or ideas in order to reach a conclusion.

• Try to reason calmly.
• She reasoned that the shop would still be open.
• We reasoned from the evidence to find the most likely explanation.

How to use it: reason that + clause (I reasoned that he must have missed the bus.); reason from something (We can reason from the facts we already know.)

Similar words: think, deduce, infer

Common phrases: reason logically, reason that something, reason from evidence

To persuade someone by giving sensible explanations or arguments.

• Try to reason with him.
• She reasoned me into taking a break.
• We could not reason him out of leaving.

How to use it: reason with someone (I tried to reason with the angry driver.); reason someone into doing something (She reasoned him into accepting the offer.); reason someone out of doing something (We reasoned her out of selling the house.)

Similar words: persuade, convince

Common phrases: reason with someone, reason someone into something, reason someone out

To defeat a feeling, belief, or objection by using logical arguments.

• She tried to reason down her anger.
• He reasoned away every objection we raised.
• They could not reason away their doubts.

How to use it: reason down/away something (He tried to reason away his fears.)

Similar words: argue away, dispel

Common phrases: reason down something, reason away something