a fundamental cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary reason or underlying factor behind a particular issue or phenomenon. Example: "The researchers identified a fundamental cause of climate change that needed to be addressed in order to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Different skills, and different demand for skills, are a fundamental cause of inequality.

The Guardian

Williams, D. R., & Collins, C. "Racial Residential Segregation: A Fundamental Cause of Racial Disparities in Health.

Harvard University

Primary or acquired drug resistance remains a fundamental cause of therapeutic failure in cancer therapy.

European Journal of Cancer

This, Dr. Sinclair and his colleagues suggest, may be a fundamental cause of aging in mice and probably people, too.

The New York Times - Health

Acemoglu, D., Johnson, S. & Robinson, J. Chapter 6 Institutions as a fundamental cause of long-run growth.

Nature

First, the literature considers withholding bad news as a fundamental cause of stock price crashes (Chang et al., 2017).

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We believe that to be a fundamental, underlying cause".

The Guardian

Investigators say Lopez's unstable mental health may be a "fundamental, underlying cause" of the shooting.

The Guardian

But what if the January Effect has a more fundamental cause — one that ties directly to human nature?

The New York Times

A more fundamental cause is that businesses are not sure that the economy's current growth can be sustained or accelerated.

The New York Times

But sometimes there seems to be a more fundamental cause.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental cause", ensure that you have supporting evidence to demonstrate the causal relationship. Avoid stating it as a mere opinion.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a fundamental cause" as the only cause, especially in complex situations where multiple factors are at play. Acknowledge other contributing elements to provide a more nuanced and accurate explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the core reason or underlying factor that leads to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is correct and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental cause" is a phrase used to describe the core reason or primary driver behind a particular issue or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including science, news media, and academia. While it is important to use this phrase accurately and provide supporting evidence, it serves as a valuable tool for identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to complex problems. Consider alternatives such as "a root cause" or "an underlying reason" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a root cause

Highlights the origin of the issue.

the central reason

Indicates the most critical explanation.

an underlying reason

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious cause.

a primary driver

Emphasizes the force that propels an effect.

the principal factor

Highlights the most important element.

a key factor

Suggests one of several important causes.

the critical factor

Indicates this is a decisive element.

a major contributor

Indicates a significant element among multiple causes.

the essential element

Focuses on the absolute most necessary.

the mainspring

Implies that this is the main force for change.

FAQs

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

Use "a fundamental cause" to identify the primary reason behind a particular phenomenon. For example, "Lack of education is "a fundamental cause" of poverty."

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental cause"?

You can use alternatives like "a root cause", "an underlying reason", or "a primary driver" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fundamental cause" or "primary cause"?

Both "fundamental cause" and "primary cause" are acceptable, but "fundamental cause" suggests a deeper, more foundational reason, while "primary cause" simply indicates the most important cause.

What does it mean when something is described as "a fundamental cause"?

It means that it is considered the most important or basic reason behind a particular situation or problem. It's the core issue that needs to be addressed to resolve the problem effectively.