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SuperESL Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

"the reasons why..."

Hi,

"I would like to outline the reasons why I was unable to complete my studies at the University of Toronto."

Is this example grammatically correct? I remember reading somewhere that some people are dubious about the construction "...the reason why..."

Thanks.
  

Top answer

"Is this example grammatically correct? " Thanks. I'm one of those people.

— Philip

  • "Is this example grammatically correct?
  • " Thanks.
  • I'm one of those people.
  • Although the use of 'reason why' is wide-spread, I consider it to be wrong.
  • You have a choice.
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10 Answers
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SuperESLHi,"I would like to outline the reasons why I was unable to complete my studies at the University of Toronto."Is this example grammatically correct? I remember reading somewhere that some people are dubious about the construction "...the reason why..."Thanks.
I'm one of those people. Although the use of '
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SuperESL"I would like to outline the reasons why I was unable to complete my studies at the University of Toronto."Is this example grammatically correct?
It is.
SuperESLI remember reading somewhere that some people are dubious about the construction "...the reason why..."
That may be. However, don't confuse 'reason why' wit
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CalifJim 'reason is because', the latter much more often being the one that grammarians rail against.
I'm railing already!
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PhilipI'm railing already!
Yeah. That's a bad one! Emotion: wink

CJ
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What about "I would like to give an account of the reasons I was unable to complete my studies at Harvard."?

I want a formal-sounding statement.

Thank you.
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SuperESLWhat about "I would like to give an account of the reasons I was unable to complete my studies at Harvard."?I want a formal-sounding statement.Thank you.
That's absolutely fine. It's a bit more formal to include 'that', however. 'the reasons that I was unable'.

CJ
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Consider.
Person A says "I would like to give an account of the reasons I was unable to . . ."
Person B says "I would like to explain why I was unable to . . ."

To my mind, Person B is demonstrating a greater clarity o
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Maybe I am wrong, but it seems that "to give an account of the reasons" has a more measured feel: I would like to give an account - my account - of the reasons that might explain why a certain outcome came about; I cannot guarantee that everyone would find this explanation to be satisfactory, but that's how I look at it. Whereas if one comes straight out with "to explain why," it seems that the sp
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