a major cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major cause for" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "Global warming is a major cause for concern among world leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hardly a major cause for concern.

The Guardian

Sunderland  A defender – the Black Cats' backline is a major cause for concern for Gus Poyet.

Independent

Senate Republicans blamed Democrats for holding up the project, which has been a major cause for Mr. Rowland.

The New York Times

South Sudan's relationship with Khartoum has been a major cause for concern, both before and since independence.

The Guardian

Disk-degeneration is believed a major cause for lumbar pain.

Tissue and Cell

Code duplication is a major cause for refactoring.

Object-Oriented Design with UML and Java

Habitat destruction is a major cause for species extinction.

Biological Conservation

A major cause for frustration is the repetitiveness of the game.

TechCrunch

Inadequate compaction is a major cause for the final rutting depth.

Construction and Building Materials

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancers is a major cause for the failure of chemotherapy.

Carbon

They are presently considered to be a major cause for the climate change.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major cause for" when you want to emphasize the significance and impact of a particular factor. It signals that this cause is one of the most important contributors to a given effect.

Common error

Be cautious not to present something as "a major cause for" when the evidence suggests it's only a minor or contributing factor. Overstating the causal link can weaken your argument and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major cause for" functions as a noun phrase identifying a significant reason or origin for a particular event or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major cause for" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that serves to identify a significant reason or origin for a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it's appropriate for formal and professional contexts, particularly in scientific and analytical writing. While there are several alternative phrases like "a primary reason for" or "a significant factor in", "a major cause for" is direct and effective when emphasizing the importance of a causal relationship. Just ensure that the identified cause is indeed a primary contributor and not merely a minor factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary reason for

Replaces "cause" with "reason", indicating a main rationale or justification. This is a highly similar alternative focusing on explanation rather than direct causation.

a significant factor in

Shifts the focus to a contributing element, rather than a direct cause. "Factor" implies a less deterministic relationship than "cause".

a key contributor to

Highlights the role of something as a major influence or participant in bringing about a result. Emphasizes active involvement.

a principal source of

Indicates the origin or derivation of something, particularly when referring to abstract nouns like problems or benefits.

a leading driver of

Emphasizes the propelling or motivating force behind a particular outcome or trend. Suggests momentum and direction.

a notable contributor to

Similar to 'key contributor', but may imply slightly less impact, emphasizing the noteworthiness of the contribution.

a substantial influence on

Focuses on the power to affect something, rather than directly causing it. "Influence" is a more indirect relationship.

a central element in

Highlights the importance of something as a necessary part of a larger system or process. Centers the element as vital.

a critical determinant of

Indicates that something decisively affects or controls an outcome. Highlights the power to specify or decide the result.

a significant impetus for

Implies something provides the initial force or motivation behind an action or development. Focuses on the starting push.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a major cause for"?

Alternatives include "a primary reason for", "a significant factor in", or "a key contributor to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How do I use "a major cause for" in a sentence?

Use "a major cause for" to identify a significant factor that leads to a particular outcome. For example: "Deforestation is a major cause for habitat loss."

Is it appropriate to use "a major cause for" in formal writing?

Yes, "a major cause for" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic and professional contexts, as it clearly identifies a significant causal relationship.

What's the difference between "a major cause for" and "a contributing factor to"?

"A major cause for" indicates a primary reason or origin, while "a contributing factor to" suggests one of several influences. The former implies greater significance.