a cause for action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cause for action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a reason or justification for initiating a legal proceeding or taking some form of action. Example: "The evidence presented in court provided a clear cause for action against the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Any obstruction by Iraq is likely to be considered a cause for action.

The New York Times

Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognise Israel's legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite a limitation rule of six years in those days, the court of Queen's Bench decided that these receipts constituted a new publication of a libel and a cause for action.

The Guardian - Tech

The pair, often joined by an elderly reverend who, as we come to realise, knows more about the bardo than he's letting on, find in Willie a cause for action, a distraction from the boredom of the cemetery that allows them access to greater empathy.

The Guardian - Books

Let's talk about your strategy: Is yours the first case to consider the marketing materials of the gun companies a cause for action?

Vice

In addition, federal environmental legislation rarely recognizes environmental justice as a cause for action.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It suggests that awareness is not a cause for an action execution but it seems like an after-effect of a set of unconscious cognitive processes leading to the action [1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

Brain Informatics

What was once a prank is now a cause for police action.

The New York Times

Some officials acknowledge that basing a cause for military action against Iraq on its passive noncooperation, rather than concrete evidence of illegal weapons, is the least desirable way to make a case among allies in the Security Council.

The New York Times

The case was "not a cause for disciplinary action because Dr. Byrd is one of the top oncologic surgeons in the Western United States, very fastidious and has wonderful outcomes," said Dr. Eric Larson, the medical director at the University of Washington.

The New York Times - Science

Any environmental activists who use the spring floods of the Mississippi River as a cause for extreme action in the Chicago area waterway system are grossly exaggerating their impact.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cause for action", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific actions are being contemplated or justified. Provide enough detail to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause for action" in vague situations where the specific action remains undefined. Instead, clearly state the intended action and its justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause for action" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a set of facts that, if proven, would entitle a party to legal relief. It is primarily used in legal and formal contexts to denote the legal basis for bringing a claim, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cause for action" is a noun phrase primarily used in legal and formal contexts to denote a valid legal basis for bringing a claim. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in academic, news, and science contexts. When writing, ensure the context warrants such formal language and the specific actions being contemplated are clearly defined. Alternatives such as "grounds for legal action" or "basis for a lawsuit" can be used in legal contexts, while "a reason to act" may be appropriate in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis for a lawsuit

Directly relates to the foundation upon which a legal claim is built.

grounds for legal action

Specifically refers to the legal basis for initiating a lawsuit.

reason to take action

Broader term indicating any motivation for action, not necessarily legal.

warrant for intervention

Emphasizes the legitimacy and necessity of getting involved.

justification for intervention

Implies a need for involvement or interference in a situation.

trigger for intervention

The event or condition that initiates some specific action.

motivation for response

Highlights the underlying reason for a reaction or answer.

pretext for action

Suggests a false or concealed reason masking the true motive.

excuse for intervening

A reason, possibly weak, given to justify involvement.

impetus for change

Focuses on the driving force behind a transformation or shift.

FAQs

How can I use "a cause for action" in a sentence?

Use "a cause for action" to indicate a situation that provides sufficient legal grounds to pursue a lawsuit or take other significant action. For example, "The breach of contract provided "a cause for action" against the company".

What is the difference between "a cause for action" and "a reason for action"?

"A cause for action" typically refers to a legal basis for pursuing a lawsuit, while "a reason for action" is a more general term for any motivation to act, whether legal or otherwise.

What are some alternatives to "a cause for action" in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "grounds for legal action" or "basis for a lawsuit" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a cause for action" in non-legal contexts?

While "a cause for action" is often used in legal settings, it can be used in non-legal contexts to describe a compelling reason or justification for taking significant steps. However, ensure that the situation warrants such formal language; otherwise, consider a simpler phrase like "a reason to act".