a common cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common cause of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequent reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "Stress is a common cause of health issues among professionals in high-pressure jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a familiar poison, a common cause of diarrhea.

The New York Times - Health

Measles is a common cause of death in children.

Britannica

A common cause of earaches is changes in air pressure.

The New York Times - Travel

Leakages are a common cause of chemical exposure.

The Guardian

Communication failures are a common cause of patient harm.

Harvard Business Review

A common cause of the disorder in women is pregnancy.

Britannica

In women, a common cause of varicose veins is pregnancy.

Harvard University

Subacromial bursitis is a common cause of shoulder pain.

Stanford University

Accommodative esotropia is a common cause of acquired esotropia.

American Journal of Ophthalmology

uberis is a common cause of mastitis in cattle.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

Spina bifida is a common cause of pediatric neurogenic bladder.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to specify the degree of commonality or provide context. For example, use phrases like "one of the most common causes of" or "an increasingly common cause of" to give your reader a more precise understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a common cause of" without providing specific examples or evidence, as this can lead to overgeneralizations that weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common cause of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a frequent reason, origin, or source for a particular event, condition, or outcome. Ludwig examples show it describing causes for illnesses, technical failures, and even social phenomena. It introduces a causal relationship that is generally accepted or frequently observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common cause of" is a versatile phrase used to denote frequent reasons or contributing factors across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, with high frequency in scientific and news-related contexts. While suitable for formal writing, its usage in informal settings is less frequent. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide supporting evidence and be wary of overgeneralizations. Consider alternatives like "a frequent cause of" or "a major contributing factor to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent cause of

Replaces "common" with "frequent", emphasizing the high occurrence rate of the cause.

a widespread reason for

Substitutes "cause" with "reason" and "common" with "widespread", highlighting the extensive reach of the reason.

a major contributing factor to

Replaces "cause" with "contributing factor" and adds "major" to denote significance.

a primary driver of

Uses "driver" instead of "cause", suggesting a force that propels or initiates an event.

a leading factor in

Emphasizes the cause as being at the forefront or most influential.

a typical reason for

Replaces "common" with "typical", focusing on the usual or expected reason.

a frequent source of

Focuses on the origin or source of something, rather than the direct cause.

a usual suspect in

An idiomatic substitution, implying a cause that is often implicated.

a regular contributor to

Highlights the consistent contribution of the factor to the outcome.

often responsible for

Shifts the focus to accountability, indicating what is often to blame.

FAQs

How can I use "a common cause of" in a sentence?

You can use "a common cause of" to identify a frequent reason or factor that contributes to a specific outcome. For example, "Stress is "a common cause of" headaches".

What are some alternatives to "a common cause of"?

You can use alternatives like "a frequent cause of", "a major factor in", or "often responsible for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a common cause of" or "one of the common causes of"?

Both are correct, but "one of the common causes of" implies that there are other significant causes as well. ""a common cause of"" suggests that it's a primary or significant reason, but doesn't exclude other causes.

What is the difference between "a cause of" and "a common cause of"?

"A cause of" simply indicates something that leads to a particular result. "A common cause of" indicates that the cause is frequent or prevalent.