For this reason

For this reason Of course. The phrase “for this reason” is a transitional phrase used to signal that a conclusion or result is being directly drawn from the information that just preceded it. It functions as a more formal and emphatic version of “so,” “therefore,” or “that’s why.” Here’s a breakdown of its meaning, usage, and alternatives.

Core Meaning and Function

Meaning: It means “because of the specific point(s) just mentioned.”
Function: It creates a clear logical bridge between a cause and its effect, or between evidence and a conclusion. It tells the reader, “What I’m about to say is a direct consequence of what I just told you.”

How to Use It in a Sentence

“For this reason” is almost always used at the beginning of a sentence or a clause that states the conclusion.

Structure:

[Present the evidence or argument]
For this reason, [state the conclusion or resulting action].

Example:

The new drug showed a 95% success rate with minimal side effects. For this reason, the review board unanimously recommended its approval.”
In this example, “for this reason” points back to the positive data and high success rate as the direct cause for the board’s recommendation.

Strong Alternatives to “For This Reason”

Depending on the context and the strength of the connection, you can use other transition words.

Formal / Academic:

Therefore: Very common in logical arguments and academic writing.
Hence: Slightly more formal than therefore.
“The country is facing an economic crisis. Hence, we must act cautiously.”
Consequently: Emphasizes that the result is a direct consequence, often of a negative event.
“He failed to submit the required documents. Consequently, his application was rejected.”
As a result: A very common and clear alternative.
“The launch campaign was a huge success. As a result, sales have doubled.”

Slightly Less Formal:

That’s why: Common in speech and informal writing.
“It’s supposed to rain all day. That’s why we moved the picnic indoors.”
So: The most common and versatile conversational transition.

Example in Different Contexts

Work Email:

“The current software is outdated, insecure, and costly to maintain. For this reason, I propose we allocate budget for a new system in the next quarter.”

Persuasive Essay:

For this reason, they can be detrimental to a healthy democratic society.”

Instruction Manual:

“The battery can explode if incorrectly installed. For this reason, it is crucial to follow the polarity symbols (+/-) exactly.”

Grammatical Role

“For this reason” is a transitional prepositional phrase. Let’s break that down:
Prepositional Phrase: It starts with the preposition “for” and ends with the noun “reason,” which is modified by the demonstrative adjective “this.”
Transitional: Its primary job is not to describe a noun or verb but to act as a conjunctive adverb. It connects two independent clauses or sentences logically, functioning similarly to words like “however,” “therefore,” and “furthermore.”

Nuance and Emphasis

The key to “for this reason” lies in the word “this.” It is anaphoric, meaning it points backward to something specific already mentioned. This creates a strong, emphatic link.
“This” implies immediacy and specificity. It doesn’t just mean “for a reason,” or “for many reasons.” It means “for the very reason I just stated.”
This makes it more powerful and direct than a generic “so” or “that’s why,” which can sometimes refer to a more general situation.

Compare:

Vague: “The weather was bad. So, we stayed home.” (The connection is clear but casual.)
Specific and Emphatic: “A state of emergency was declared due to the blizzard conditions, with authorities warning against all travel. For this reason, we made the decision to stay home.” (The phrase points directly to the official warnings as the specific cause of the decision.)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The Vague “This”:

Fix: Be specific in your first clause so the reference is crystal clear.
“The project was a failure for the reason that it was both over budget and behind schedule.” (Better, but wordy)
“The project’s massive budget overruns and significant delays made it unsustainable. For these reasons, it was considered a failure.” (Using the plural “these reasons” accurately captures the two causes).

Starting a Paragraph With It:

Mistake: Starting a new paragraph with “For this reason,…” when the reason was stated two paragraphs ago. This can confuse the reader, forcing them to scroll back to find the referent.
Fix: Use “for this reason” only when the reason is in the immediately preceding sentence or clause. If you need to refer back to a broader point from earlier, use a more summary-based transition:
“For that reason,…”
“For all these reasons,…”
“Given the evidence presented above,…”
“Therefore,…” (which is slightly more flexible).

When to Choose Alternatives

While “for this reason” is excellent, varying your language makes writing stronger.
To show a very strong, inevitable consequence: Use “thus” or “hence” (more formal).
“The defendant’s alibi was proven false. Thus, the jury had no choice but to convict.”
To show a consequence, often negative: Use “consequently.”
“The main bridge was damaged in the storm. Consequently, all traffic was rerouted.”
In very formal or legal writing: Use “therefore.”
“The terms of the contract were breached. Therefore, the aggrieved party is entitled to damages.”
In simple, direct speech or writing: Use “so” or “that’s why.”
“My phone died, so I couldn’t call you.”

Advanced Usage and Stylistic Considerations

Positioning for Rhetorical Effect

While it most commonly begins a sentence, you can place it later for a different emphasis. This shifts the stress onto the conclusion itself.
Standard: “The data is unequivocal. For this reason, we must act now.”
Emphatic: “The data is unequivocal. We must, for this reason, act now.” (This creates a more solemn, weighty tone, placing the emphasis on the urgency of acting now.)
This mid-sentence placement often uses commas to set it off, treating it as a parenthetical interrupter that adds gravitas.

The “Cataphoric” Exception: Pointing Forward

While “this” almost always points backward (anaphoric), there’s a rare but powerful rhetorical device where it points forward to a reason you are about to state. This is called cataphora.
Example: “For this reason alone, we should abandon the project: it fundamentally violates our core ethical principles.”
Here, “this reason” is defined by the clause that follows the colon. This structure builds suspense and dramatic effect, forcing the reader to lean in and discover the reason.

For this reason