a host of causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a host of causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of reasons or factors contributing to a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The decline in bee populations can be attributed to a host of causes, including pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They already give their money (and often their time) to a host of causes.

The Guardian

Fire chiefs cite a host of causes for the manpower shortage.

The Washington Post

Associates say Mr. Clancy's considerable fortune has attracted people with a host of causes and offbeat investment opportunities.

The New York Times

This relentless slide has begun to worry doctors who have proposed a host of causes to explain it.

The Guardian

A host of causes of construction delays in residential projects were identified and classified according to Drewin's Open Conversion System.

International Journal of Project Management

Ellie tirelessly raised funds for a host of causes and was a respected Five Towns real estate broker.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In recent years a host of cause-related crowdfunding sties have sprung up, most like JustGiving, Causes.com and Razoo aimed at helping individuals raise sponsorship money for charity events.

The Guardian

Catherine Wydeman, who lives in Rep. Gerald E. Connolly's 11th Congressional District and voted for the Democrat, said she was motivated by a host of Democratic causes, including immigration reform and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Washington Post

Taken in thirty-five countrieSalgadoado's migration pictures group together, under this single heading, a host of different causes and kinds of distress.

The New Yorker

Charities need donors to fund their services, their campaigning and their work to change attitudes towards poverty, smoking, disability and a host of other causes.

The Guardian

Over the last 15 years, it has been a forum for a host of liberal causes and a station on which politics were debated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a host of causes", ensure that the subsequent explanation or discussion clarifies at least some of these causes to provide context and avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "a host of causes" if you cannot substantiate this claim with specific examples or evidence. Overselling the complexity without support weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a host of causes" functions as a noun phrase that emphasizes the multiplicity of factors contributing to a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a host of causes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote multiple contributing factors to an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable across various writing styles, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. While its strength lies in conveying complexity, it's best practice to provide clarifying examples to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "a multitude of reasons" or "a variety of factors" for nuanced expression. Be aware that using this phrase without providing some supporting evidence of the causes can weaken your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of reasons

Emphasizes the numerous quantity of reasons.

a variety of factors

Highlights the diverse nature of the contributing elements.

numerous contributing factors

Directly states that multiple elements are contributing to an outcome.

many underlying reasons

Suggests the reasons are not immediately obvious and require deeper investigation.

several contributing elements

Similar to "a variety of factors", but potentially implying fewer elements.

a range of influences

Implies that the causes are acting as influences rather than direct causes.

a complex web of factors

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and intricacy of the contributing elements.

a confluence of events

Highlights the convergence of different events leading to a specific result.

an array of reasons

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a collection of reasons.

a number of determinants

Suggests causes that strongly influence or decide an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a host of causes" in a sentence?

You can use "a host of causes" to indicate that multiple factors contribute to a particular outcome. For example, "The company's financial difficulties were due to "a host of causes", including increased competition and poor management."

What are some alternatives to "a host of causes"?

Alternatives include "a multitude of reasons", "a variety of factors", or "numerous contributing factors", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to list the causes after using the phrase "a host of causes"?

Listing some of the causes after using the phrase provides clarity and strengthens your argument. However, it's not always necessary to list all of them; providing a few key examples can suffice.

What is the difference between "a host of causes" and "a single cause"?

"A host of causes" suggests multiple contributing factors, while "a single cause" indicates one primary reason for a particular result. The choice depends on whether the situation arises from one or more factors.