“The reason is because …” - Reminders about redundancies

Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

“The reason is because …”
Reminders about redundancies

DOUBLESPEAK

This common redundancy merits its own chapter. A reason is a because. A reason is a why. To state, “The reason is because …” is like saying, “the report is the report,” “the storm is the storm,” “the decision was the decision.”

Simply state the reason and move on:

The reason for his resignation was more money.

The reason she moved to Michigan was to be near her family.

Memory tip

When you start to say, “the reason is because,” ask yourself if you’re stalling for an excuse.