The reason is because

Oberon · Mar 1, 2008

When I was a child my mother once corrected me: "The reason is not because, it just is." For some reason it stuck in my brain. The reason the light went out is because the mice ate the cord (wrong). The reason the light went out is that the mice ate the cord. If no "because," no "that"? The reason the light went out is the mice ate the cord.

Right?

Sage · Mar 1, 2008

"The light went out because the mice ate the cord." I know that's not your question (I don't know the answer, but they all seem clunky to me), but that's what I'd do.

Oberon · Mar 1, 2008

Yes, Sage, I would, too, in my example. I should have mentioned how the "reason is because" usage that appears so often gives me turn every time I see it, and reminds me of my mother (which is not a bad thing, she was a notable woman)

HeronW · Mar 1, 2008

'because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me' simply replaces 2 words; 'the reason' and pacing works better for Ms Dickenson. It comes down to personal preference.

maestrowork · Mar 1, 2008

I hate, hate, hate it when people say "the reason is because..."

It's either "A happened because B happened" or "the reason A happened is that B happened."

dpaterso · Mar 1, 2008

Nowadays I think we tend to be a little more direct,

"Happened to the damn light?"
"Freakin' mice ate the cord!"

-Derek

dadburnett · Mar 1, 2008

The only thing worse "reason is because" is in asking why and getting the one-word answer, "Because!"

ErylRavenwell · Mar 1, 2008

"Because" means "for the reason that", so "the reason is because" is the same as "the reason is for the reason that". See how silly it sounds!

Moral of the story: always listen to your mom, kid.

Bufty · Mar 2, 2008

Consensus of opinion. That drives me nuts, too.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Mar 2, 2008

Along the same lines is "and plus". I find myself saying this. Drives me nutty.

absitinvidia · Mar 2, 2008

Not to mention "equally as."

maestrowork · Mar 2, 2008

similar like.

The reason is because

Oberon

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Oberon

HeronW

Down Under Fan

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

dadburnett

ErylRavenwell

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Sandi LeFaucheur

absitinvidia

A bit of a wallflower

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray