a likely cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a likely cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential reasons or explanations for an event or situation that seems plausible. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we concluded that a likely cause of the issue was a software malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no information that indicated a likely cause".

The New York Times - Sports

Lack of awareness was suggested as a likely cause.

The Guardian

That removes what was once a likely cause of another major war in the Middle East.

The Guardian

Many gloomy forecasters see water as a likely cause of future wars.

The Economist

Dr. Cohen said that "rabies was not thought of as a likely cause" of the donor's death.

The New York Times

For people around the country who heard the message "All circuits are busy," call gapping was a likely cause.

The New York Times - Tech

Because an overdose of diclofenac can cause kidney damage in humans, the drug seemed to be a likely cause of death in the vultures.

The New York Times

It is more than a century since abnormal protein deposits in the brain were identified by the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer as a likely cause of neurodegeneration.

The Guardian

Tropical forests reduce drought by creating rain (their destruction in the Amazon is a likely cause of the water crisis in São Paulo).

The Guardian

Poor cement was a likely cause – builders often charge for better-quality materials than they deliver – or water from a nearby canal may have washed out foundations.

The Guardian

Schools should assess pupils who are missing 20% or more of days, consider CFS as a likely cause and refer them to a specialist service, she added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a likely cause", ensure that the context clearly indicates what event or situation is being explained. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the effect or outcome associated with the likely cause.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a likely cause" as a definitive or proven cause. The phrase implies probability, not certainty, so using it in situations where a cause has been definitively established would be inappropriate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a likely cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a plausible reason or explanation for a particular event or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to introduce potential causes in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a likely cause" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a plausible, though not necessarily definitive, explanation for an event or situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in both scientific and news media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're implying probability rather than stating a fact and that your context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "a probable cause" or "a plausible explanation" to fine-tune your meaning. Remember that choosing the right term depends heavily on the specific context and the level of certainty you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a probable cause

This alternative uses "probable" instead of "likely", suggesting a slightly higher degree of certainty.

a leading explanation

This highlights that the cause is the most prominent or widely accepted explanation.

a plausible explanation

This focuses on the explanation aspect, highlighting that the cause is believable or reasonable.

a potential reason

This emphasizes the reason behind something, indicating a possibility rather than a certainty.

a primary factor

This suggests that the cause is the most important or influential factor.

a possible factor

This suggests that the cause is one of several contributing elements.

a major contributor

This focuses on the cause as something that significantly contributes to the outcome.

a suspected reason

This implies that the cause is based on suspicion or conjecture, lacking definitive proof.

an apparent reason

This suggests the reason is obvious or easily seen, though perhaps not definitively proven.

a conceivable cause

This emphasizes the possibility of the cause, implying it's imaginable or believable.

FAQs

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

Use "a likely cause" to introduce a plausible explanation for an event or phenomenon. For example, "The software glitch is "a likely cause" of the system failure".

What can I say instead of "a likely cause"?

You can use alternatives like "a probable cause", "a plausible explanation", or "a potential reason" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a likely cause" or "the likely cause"?

"A likely cause" refers to one of potentially many possible causes, while "the likely cause" implies it's the primary or most probable cause among several options. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "a likely cause" and "a possible cause"?

"A likely cause" suggests a higher probability or stronger evidence compared to "a possible cause". "Possible" simply indicates that something could be a cause, whereas "likely" suggests it's more probable.