for no reason

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Without any cause, purpose or explanation that can be identified.

   Grammar: Usually follows the verb: she cried for no reason.

   Patterns

   • do something for no reason

   The dog started barking for no reason in the middle of the night.

   She laughed for no reason, and everyone wondered why.

   The alarm went off for no reason at three in the morning.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

   Without a good or fair reason, so that the action seems unjustified.

   Grammar: Often criticizes how someone behaved: he was fired for no reason.

   Patterns

   • be punished for no reason

   The manager shouted at us for no reason.

   They canceled the event for no reason at all.

   I don't like being blamed for no reason.

Common combinations

cry for no reason

The baby sometimes cries for no reason.

get angry for no reason

He gets angry for no reason these days.

for no reason at all

She smiled for no reason at all.

blame someone for no reason

Don't blame him for no reason.

for absolutely no reason

The train stopped for absolutely no reason.

Synonyms and how they differ

for nothing

For nothing can also mean without payment or without result, so it is wider than for no reason.

without cause

Without cause is more formal and common in legal or written settings.

for no apparent reason

For no apparent reason suggests there may be a cause that is hidden, which for no reason does not.

needlessly

Needlessly is a single adverb that stresses the action was unnecessary rather than unexplained.

Opposites

Word family

reason noun

a cause or explanation

reasonable adjective

fair or sensible

reasonless adjective

having no reason, rare

Commonly confused: for no reason or for no good reason?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “for no reason”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words