a frequent cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a frequent cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that often leads to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "Stress is a frequent cause of health issues among professionals in high-pressure jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fatigue is a frequent cause of structural failure.

Construction and Building Materials

A frequent cause of coronary thrombosis in sudden coronary death.

Nature

However, reabsorption is a frequent cause of long-term failure.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of biofilm-related infections.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Grapevine downy mildew (DM) is a frequent cause of yield loss in eastern vineyards.

Cornell University

A frequent cause of sleep loss is musculoskeletal discomfort from poor neck and back support.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

CHECK THE DRUG LIST Medication errors are a frequent cause of readmissions, Dr. Schreiber said.

The New York Times - Health

Liver metastases respond poorly to current therapy and remain a frequent cause of cancer-related mortality.

Molecular Therapy

Acute low back pain (LBP) is a frequent cause of physician visits and sick leave.

The Spine Journal

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent cause of hospital admission in older people.

Physiotherapy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a frequent cause of mortality and heart transplantation in pediatric patients.

Progress in Pediatric Cardiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a frequent cause", ensure that the context clearly indicates the outcome or effect it leads to. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a frequent cause" as the sole determinant of an outcome. Acknowledge other contributing factors to provide a more nuanced and accurate explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a frequent cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as a common reason or origin of a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to highlight a recurring factor that leads to a specific result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

13%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a frequent cause" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote a recurring factor that leads to a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in scientific, news, and academic domains. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the outcome or effect to enhance clarity. Be mindful not to present it as the sole determinant and acknowledge other contributing factors. Alternatives include "a common reason", "a regular factor", and "a major contributor", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common reason

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

a regular factor

Substitutes "frequent cause" with "regular factor", emphasizing the consistent contribution to an outcome.

a major contributor

Highlights the significant impact of the cause.

a prevalent source

Focuses on the origin or starting point being widespread.

an often-seen factor

Uses descriptive language to indicate the commonality of the cause.

a usual suspect

Employs an idiomatic expression suggesting something is typically the cause.

a typical trigger

Highlights the role of initiating an action or event.

a recurrent element

Emphasizes the repeated appearance of the cause.

a familiar driver

Indicates that the cause propels or influences outcomes.

a repeated instigator

Stresses the repetitive initiation of events.

FAQs

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

You can use "a frequent cause" to introduce a factor that commonly leads to a specific result. For instance, "Lack of sleep is a frequent cause of reduced productivity".

What are some alternatives to "a frequent cause"?

You can use alternatives like "a common reason", "a regular factor", or "a major contributor" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a frequent reason" instead of "a frequent cause"?

Yes, "a frequent reason" is a valid alternative. While "cause" implies a direct link to an outcome, "reason" focuses on the explanation or rationale behind it. They are often interchangeable depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a frequent cause" and "a primary cause"?

"A frequent cause" indicates something that often leads to a particular result, while "a primary cause" suggests it is the main or most significant factor among several possibilities.