a basic cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing fundamental reasons or underlying factors for a particular situation or phenomenon. Example: "The researchers identified a basic cause of the issue, which was a lack of proper communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The sectarian Royal Ulster Constabulary has always been a basic cause of the Troubles.

The New York Times

Geographic isolation was a basic cause of New Mexico's slow economic development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neovascularization is seen by some as a basic cause of pain in Achilles tendinopathy and can be detected with power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU).

Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology

A basic cause, then as now, was poor city planning, with roads laid out in such a way as to bring traffic from all quarters to a central crossing point.

Britannica

Mr. Lindsay apparently was referring to the laws regulating such problems as gambling, al rohol and prostitution, which many legal scholars argue are irtually unenforceable and a basic cause of corruption.

The New York Times

In addition to systematic fixes, there seems to be a basic cause and effect theory on individual levels as well.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Perhaps the most important is the use of "instrumental variables" — pieces of supplemental information that, even when seemingly incidental to a basic cause-and-effect relationship, actually reveal its strength.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, it is still not clear whether the inflammatory response found in AE skin is a primary basic cause of the disease, or if it is a secondary effect caused by other factors such as an impaired skin barrier.

Plosone

In spite of two consecutive summers of violence, not a single basic cause of riots has been corrected.

The Guardian

A valid concern is that this selection process may influence other features of spike trains or the LFP, such that the increased locking of UE coincidences can be attributed to a more basic cause.

Cerebral Cortex

This model, which explains the basic features of a substorm, predicts that the incoming electron precipitation during a substorm has to be the basic cause of a magnetospheric substorm.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a basic cause", ensure that you are identifying a fundamental reason and not merely a contributing factor. Provide sufficient context to differentiate it from other potential causes.

Common error

Avoid attributing multifaceted problems to only "a basic cause". Acknowledge the potential for multiple contributing factors to provide a more nuanced and accurate analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic cause" functions as a noun phrase identifying a fundamental reason or origin for a particular phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable. Its role is to denote a primary, though not necessarily sole, factor contributing to an outcome, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a basic cause" serves to identify a fundamental reason or origin, offering clarity and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Though versatile, it's crucial to avoid oversimplification, acknowledging potentially contributing factors. The phrase appears most commonly in scientific and news media sources, highlighting its importance in analytical explanations. When seeking alternative phrases, consider "a fundamental reason" or "a primary factor" for subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental reason

Replaces "cause" with "reason", focusing on the rationale behind something.

a primary factor

Emphasizes the role of a contributing element rather than a direct cause.

an underlying factor

Highlights the less obvious, foundational element contributing to a situation.

the root of the problem

Focuses on the origin of an issue, suggesting a need for deeper investigation.

the heart of the matter

Shifts the focus to the most essential aspect or core issue.

the mainspring of

Implies a driving force or initiating mechanism behind an action or event.

a central element

Highlights a key component or aspect, downplaying direct causality.

the principal driver

Emphasizes the element that propels or motivates a particular outcome.

the key determinant

Focuses on the element that decisively influences or controls an outcome.

a crucial component

Highlights the essential role of a part within a larger system.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic cause" in a sentence?

Use "a basic cause" to point out a primary underlying reason for a situation. For example: "Lack of funding was "a basic cause" of the project's failure".

What are some alternatives to "a basic cause"?

You can use alternatives such as "a fundamental reason", "a primary factor", or "an underlying factor" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the basic cause" instead of "a basic cause"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "the basic cause" implies that you are referring to a single, specific, and already identified cause. "A basic cause" suggests that you are identifying one of possibly several fundamental causes.

What's the difference between "a basic cause" and "a root cause"?

"A basic cause" identifies a fundamental reason, while "a root cause" refers to the most fundamental or underlying reason that initiates a chain of events leading to a problem. A root cause is often deeper and less obvious than a basic cause.