a dozen causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dozen causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to twelve different reasons or factors contributing to a particular situation or outcome. Example: "There are a dozen causes for the decline in bee populations, ranging from pesticide use to habitat loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He had become involved in a dozen causes, including the Society for the Prevention of Pauperism, a platform from which he hoped to launch a plan that he had first devised during the Panic of 1809: he wanted to start a savings bank, the first in the nation.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A study of two dozen causes of death in the Netherlands found that in virtually every category, ranging from violent deaths like homicide and car accidents to certain forms of cancer, the unmarried were at far higher risk than the married.

The New York Times

I once visited the Resnick Sustainability Institute at CalTech, and I know of a dozen other causes which they don't want to discuss.

Huffington Post

Changes to voting laws in more than a dozen states caused confusion, frustration, long lines and turned-away voters.

The Economist

Mr Farage told the Sun on Sunday all 1,818 candidates running in elections for Ukip would be vetted, while insisting that "of all the candidates we fielded, only about half a dozen have caused us any embarrassment".

Independent

Updated, 8 40 p.m. | A prolific gang of foreign hackers stole and sold 160 million credit card numbers from more than a dozen companies, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, federal prosecutors charged on Thursday in what they described as the largest hacking and data breach case in the country.

The New York Times

In Dominica, a mother and her seven-year-old son died when one of a dozen landslide caused by the heavy rains fell onto their house.

Wikipedia

The meeting was interrupted several times by protesters, most notably pro-life activist Randall Terry, who, along with about half a dozen supporters, caused such a commotion that he had to be escorted out by police.

Wikipedia

The results are several dozen cause and effect relationships that link individual causal factors with particular governance dimensions.

Business Research

Cooper concluded that in a worst case scenario, a dozen terrorists could cause a seven million gallon spill by attacking the pipeline at three points.

Huffington Post

GEORGE PACKER: It's one of half a dozen or so causes — part of a political culture that's increasingly trivial, amnesiac, myopic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dozen causes", ensure the context clearly identifies what those causes are, either explicitly listing them or providing enough detail for the reader to infer them. For instance, "The study identified a dozen causes for the species' decline, including habitat loss and climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "a dozen causes" as a vague placeholder. If you can't specify or at least hint at the nature of these causes, it's better to use a more general term like "several factors" or "various reasons" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dozen causes" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun, indicating a specific number (twelve) of reasons or factors that contribute to a particular situation. Ludwig shows that is typically used to attribute multiple factors to a certain outcome or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dozen causes" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to refer to twelve specific reasons or factors contributing to an outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a clear and direct way to quantify and emphasize the multiplicity of factors. While alternatives like "numerous reasons" or "several factors" exist, "a dozen causes" provides a more precise count. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the context either lists or implies the nature of these causes to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twelve reasons

Uses a numerical adjective to specify the quantity of reasons.

twelve contributing factors

Emphasizes the contributing nature of the factors.

a number of factors

More vague in quantity, implying several factors without specifying the exact amount.

numerous reasons

Indicates many reasons, but without a precise count.

several underlying issues

Focuses on the fundamental and problematic nature of the issues.

multiple driving forces

Highlights the active and propelling aspect of the causes.

various motivating factors

Puts emphasis on factors that propel certain actions.

a multitude of reasons

Emphasizes the abundance of reasons.

a range of contributing elements

Highlights the diversity of elements.

several factors at play

Highlights the fact that those factors are currently effective.

FAQs

How can I use "a dozen causes" in a sentence?

You can use "a dozen causes" to refer to twelve specific reasons or factors that contribute to a particular outcome. For example, "The committee identified "a dozen causes" for the project's failure, including lack of funding and poor management."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dozen causes"?

Alternatives include "twelve reasons", "numerous factors", or "several underlying issues". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a dozen causes" or "dozens of causes"?

"A dozen causes" refers specifically to twelve causes. "Dozens of causes" implies a larger, less precise number, meaning many causes, typically more than two dozen.

Is "a dozen reasons" interchangeable with "a dozen causes"?

While similar, "causes" implies a direct relationship between the factor and the outcome. "Reasons" can be broader, including justifications or explanations that may not be direct causal factors. Choose the word that best reflects the relationship you're describing.