a paramount cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a paramount cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance or significance of a particular reason or factor in a discussion or argument. Example: "The study revealed that a paramount cause of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Increased image noise and imperfections in generated attenuation maps were identified as a paramount cause for image degradation.

EJNMMI Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The paramount cause for liberals was civil rights.

The New Yorker

The paramount cause was Hillary Clinton; the main proximate cause was James Comey.

HuffPost

Invasion of tumor cells is the key step in determining the aggressive phenotype of human cancers and compose the paramount causes of cancer deaths.

Cell Death and Disease

Secrecy is a paramount concern.

The New York Times

Security remains a paramount concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Confidentiality was a paramount concern.

Harvard Business Review

"So safety became a paramount issue".

The New York Times

The budget obviously is a paramount consideration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Security has become a paramount issue.

The New York Times - Sports

For some, cost was a paramount issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a paramount cause", ensure it truly represents the most significant reason among others. Avoid overusing it for minor or secondary factors to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a paramount cause" when the factor is not definitively the most crucial. Instead, consider phrases like "a significant factor" or "a contributing factor" if the cause plays a lesser role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paramount cause" functions as a noun phrase, identifying and emphasizing the most significant reason or factor contributing to a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and emphasizes the importance of the identified cause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a paramount cause" serves to emphasize the primary and most significant reason or factor in a given situation. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While its frequency is rare, it appears in varied contexts, most commonly within scientific, news, and encyclopedic domains. When using this phrase, ensure that the identified cause is indeed the most crucial element and avoid overstating its significance in contexts where other factors may be equally or more relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most important reason

Clearly defines this as the reason of highest importance.

the main reason

Directly states this is the principal reason.

the principal factor

Highlights this is the most important factor.

a primary reason

Emphasizes the order of importance, suggesting this is the main reason.

the dominant cause

Suggests this cause overpowers other potential causes.

a leading factor

Highlights that this factor is at the forefront of influence.

a key reason

Focuses on the essential nature of the reason.

a significant factor

Indicates the considerable impact of the factor.

a major influence

Stresses the influential power of this cause.

a central driver

Implies this cause propels or motivates the event or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "a paramount cause" to emphasize the most important reason or factor behind a particular situation or event. For example: "The study revealed that a paramount cause of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions."

What are some alternatives to "a paramount cause"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary reason", "a leading factor", or "the main reason" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a paramount cause"?

No, only use "a paramount cause" when you are confident that the factor you are describing is truly the most important. Otherwise, consider using weaker terms like "a significant factor".

What makes "a paramount cause" different from "a significant cause"?

"A paramount cause" implies that the cause is the most important, while "a significant cause" simply means that the cause is important but not necessarily the most crucial.