Part of the reason

Part of the reason was the virus spreading from the Jurong Fishery Port to dozens of markets, forcing them to be closed.

Why is “Part of the reason” used instead of “One of the reasons”?

Thanks!

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I think both have similar meanings. However, the word ‘part’ emphasizes the fact that there is much more.

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Part of the reason is not a reasonable usage. Nor is it logical. There can be only ‘reason’.
The main reason, one of the reasons etc could sound better.

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I’ve heard “part of the reason” used many times.

I think the logic is that a complex event occurs because of a complex combination of interrelated factors and you can’t separate it out into distinct reasons. “Part of the reason” then is a factor that seems to be a part of the overall reason. It’s not the only one. It may not be the dominant factor, but it does seem to be part of the equation.

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Part of the reason is how people say it. That’s VERY common. It doesn’t have to be logical or grammatically “correct”.

In America English I think people probably say part of the reason far more often than one of the reasons. They might also say one reason.

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