a bigger cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bigger cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an important goal or cause that someone or a group of people is working towards. For example: "Claire spends a lot of her free time volunteering for a bigger cause - helping the homeless find stable housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But he sees a bigger cause.

The New York Times

According the Ariely, people engage in dishonest behavior if it serves a bigger cause.

University of California, Berkeley

It is possible that globalisation is becoming a bigger cause of American wage inequality.

The Economist

Many psychiatric patients suffer from other physical conditions, they add, which are a bigger cause of early death than suicide.

The Guardian

Indeed, Wales is the only region where money is not the greatest cause of anxiety; family is a bigger cause.

The Guardian

This indicates that burnout may be an even a bigger cause of medical error than a poor safety environment, Tawfik said.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It is a big cause of pneumonia.

The New York Times - Science

Overloaded intersections cause lots of noise and pollution, and are a big cause of traffic delay.

The Economist

That's unfair; the economy's deterioration was a big cause.

The Washington Post

That response has been a big cause of the declining influence of environmentalists in Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

This low bar for success is a big cause for concern among Democrats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bigger cause" to highlight the significance of a particular action or decision, emphasizing that it serves a purpose beyond immediate personal gain.

Common error

Avoid using "a bigger cause" when the purported cause is only marginally more significant or lacks genuine impact. Ensure the cause truly justifies the descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bigger cause" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a preposition or a complement in a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it identifies something of greater significance that motivates action or belief. It's a common expression used to justify actions taken in pursuit of something greater than oneself.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bigger cause" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a more significant or important goal that motivates actions and decisions. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as a noun phrase, with a neutral to professional register suitable for various contexts, notably news, academia, and science. To avoid overstating the significance, ensure that what you call "a bigger cause" genuinely justifies the descriptor. Always make sure the context clarifies the relative scale and importance of the cause being cited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more significant purpose

Emphasizes the importance of the purpose.

a greater objective

Focuses on the magnitude of the objective being pursued.

a loftier goal

Suggests a goal that is morally or spiritually elevated.

a grander vision

Highlights the expansive and ambitious nature of the vision.

a more compelling reason

Stresses the persuasiveness and urgency of the reason.

a weightier matter

Indicates a matter of considerable importance or consequence.

a superior ideal

Emphasizes the higher quality or moral standing of the ideal.

a nobler aim

Implies a more honorable and virtuous intention.

a broader mission

Highlights the extensive scope and reach of the mission.

a deeper meaning

Focuses on the profound and underlying significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bigger cause" to explain why someone is willing to make sacrifices or take risks for something they believe is more important. For example, "She volunteered all her time for "a bigger cause" than just personal recognition".

What are some alternatives to "a bigger cause"?

Alternatives include "a more significant purpose", "a greater objective", or "a loftier goal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a bigger cause"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action or decision is motivated by something larger than oneself, such as a social, political, or ethical principle.

What's the difference between "a bigger cause" and "a higher cause"?

"A bigger cause" often implies a wider scope or greater impact, while "a higher cause" typically suggests a morally or spiritually superior aim. They are similar, but "a higher cause" carries a stronger ethical connotation.