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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Reason: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：cause or explanation (reason)

reason 🔊

/ˈriːzən/

n. & v.

The cause or explanation for something that happens or for someone's actions.

Person understanding reason for missed alarm on phone

cause or explanation 🔊

➕

/kɔːz ɔːr ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/

n. & v.

A reason is a thought or fact that explains why something happens or why someone does something.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ratio' (reckoning), via Old French 'raison'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'REASON = Real Explanation Always Satisfies Our Need?' Or simply: 'Your reason is your answer to why.'

📖 Example

The reason he was late was because his alarm clock didn't go off. 🔊 The reason he was late was because his alarm clock didn't go off.

🔗 Collocations

the reason why – the cause or explanation for which

for some reason – for an unknown cause

with good reason – justifiably

🔄 Synonyms

cause (n.) – something that produces an effect or result

motive (n.) – a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious

justification (n.) – a reason or explanation for something that is considered satisfactory

🚫 Antonyms

effect (n.) – a result or consequence

🌱 Derivatives

reasonable (adj.) – fair and sensible

reasonably (adv.) – in a fair and sensible way

reasoning (n.) – the process of thinking logically

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'ratio' meaning 'calculation' or 'reason', it entered English through Old French 'raison'. In philosophy, 'reason' denotes the capacity for logical thought, central to the Enlightenment.

Meaning 2：think logically (reason)

reason 🔊

/ˈriːzən/

n. & v.

To think about something in a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgment.

Silhouette thinking logically with lightbulb and icons

think logically 🔊

➕

/θɪŋk ˈlɒdʒɪkli/

n. & v.

To reason means to use logical thinking to understand or solve something.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When the computer stopped working, she tried to reason out what could have gone wrong. 🔊 When the computer stopped working, she tried to reason out what could have gone wrong.

🔗 Collocations

reason with someone – to talk to someone in order to persuade them to be more sensible

reason out – to find a solution by thinking logically

cannot reason – unable to think logically

🔄 Synonyms

think (v.) – to use one's mind to consider something

deduce (v.) – to reach a conclusion by reasoning

infer (v.) – to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises

🚫 Antonyms

guess (v.) – to estimate or suppose without sufficient information

ignore (v.) – to refuse to take notice of

muddle (v.) – to confuse or mix up

🌱 Derivatives

reasoning (n.) – the process of using logic

reasonable (adj.) – based on good sense

reasoner (n.) – a person who reasons