a leading cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a leading cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to one of the primary reasons or factors contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a leading cause of illness in young women.

The New Yorker

Obesity is a leading cause of the disease.

The New York Times - Science

Suicide is a leading cause of death for men.

The Guardian - Film

Eclampsia, a leading cause of maternal mortality.

Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

Suicide is a leading cause of death.

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death worldwide.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Preterm delivery is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Intrauterine infections are a leading cause of preterm birth [1].

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Ileus was a leading cause of IAH in our cohort.

Annals of Intensive Care

Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide.

Brain Informatics

Introduction: Sepsis is a leading cause of worldwide mortality.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a leading cause", ensure that the context clearly establishes the outcome or situation that the cause is contributing to. For instance, specify "a leading cause of mortality" or "a leading cause of climate change".

Common error

Avoid using "a leading cause" when the evidence for a direct causal link is weak or circumstantial. Instead, opt for phrases like "associated with" or "correlated with" to indicate a relationship without asserting definitive causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leading cause" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig examples show it identifies a primary factor contributing to a specific result or situation. The phrase acts to categorize or define something based on its importance as a causal agent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a leading cause" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote a primary factor contributing to a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in scientific and news contexts, highlighting significant factors in areas like health and mortality. While alternatives like "a major contributing factor" or "a primary reason" exist, "a leading cause" provides a clear and direct way to emphasize the importance of a particular factor. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the relationship between the cause and the outcome, and avoid overstating causality without sufficient evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major contributing factor

Replaces "leading" with "major", emphasizing the significance of the factor but using slightly different wording.

a primary reason

Substitutes "cause" with "reason", focusing on the rationale or explanation behind something.

a significant driver

Uses "driver" instead of "cause", highlighting the propelling or motivating aspect of the factor.

a key factor

Replaces "leading cause" with "key factor", indicating an essential element in producing a result.

a principal contributor

Emphasizes the contribution aspect, using more formal language than "a leading cause".

the main reason for

Shifts the structure to focus on the reason, using a slightly more direct and less formal tone.

a dominant influence

Highlights the power or control exerted by the factor, rather than just its causal role.

the foremost factor

Uses "foremost" to stress the prominence or priority of the factor.

a central element

Focuses on the essential or indispensable nature of the factor in a system or process.

a major determinant

Highlights the decisive role of the factor in defining or shaping an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "a leading cause" to indicate a primary factor that contributes to a specific outcome. For example, "Smoking is "a leading cause" of lung cancer".

What are some alternatives to "a leading cause"?

Alternatives to "a leading cause" include "a major contributing factor", "a primary reason", or "a significant driver", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "the leading cause" instead of "a leading cause"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "the leading cause" implies it is the single most significant factor, whereas "a leading cause" suggests it is one of several important factors. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the actual situation.

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

"A leading cause" indicates a factor with a significant impact or frequency in producing a particular result, while "a common cause" simply means that the factor occurs frequently. "A leading cause" implies greater importance or influence than "a common cause".