REASON FOR REASON WHY

reason

“reason for”   "reason why"

Compare these sentences with reason (noun/countable):

1.        The reason for the boy’s bad behavior.

The reason for the boy’s/boy behaving badly.

(followed by ing/ N+ ing / N’s N

2.       The reason why the boy behaves badly.

(followed by a clause Subject + verb)

3.       I want to know the reason why you’re so late.

4.       Give a good reason why I should believe you.

Now change the sentences from one construction to the other. Key below

1.               The reason why food is short at present is quite clear.

2.              The reason why the Government cancelled the plan is an absolute mystery.

3.              Is there any reason why taxes are being raised?

4.              The reasons for my resignation are absolutely personal.

5.              There’s no logical reason why he broke into the house and did what he did.

6.              The reason why John left for Butan will always remain a mystery.

7.              Can you tell me the reason why you have 47 cats in the flat?

8.             There’s no real reason why I hanged my mother-in-law.

  

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

1.       I have reason to believe you were not there.

2.      They had every reason to be optimistic.

3.       You must give us three reasons to make your story plausible.

KEY

1.         The reason for the shortage of food is quite clear.

2.        The reason for the Government cancelling the plan is….

3.        Is there any reason for the taxes being raised?

4.       The reason why I resign is absolutely personal.

5.        There’s no logical reason for his breaking into the house and doing what he did.

6.       The reason for John’s leaving for Butan will always remain a mystery.

7.        Can you tell me the reason for your having 47 ………

8.       There’s no real reason for my hanging my mother-in-law.