a possible cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a possible cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential reasons or explanations for a particular event or situation. Example: "The researchers identified a possible cause for the increase in pollution levels in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Law enforcement officials have not commented on a possible cause.

The New York Times

Baden said autoerotic asphyxiation remained a possible cause of death.

The Guardian - Film

Officials ruled out terrorism as a possible cause.

The New York Times

Even sunspots had been proposed as a possible cause.

The New York Times

Rising numbers of badgers, their natural predator, have also been cited as a possible cause.

The Guardian

Gold-mining was initially touted as a possible cause, but where are the gold-miners?

The Guardian

Fire officials said they were investigating her smoking as a possible cause of the fire.

The New York Times

The tightness of many urban and suburban housing markets is a possible cause, Mr. Feldman added.

The New York Times

He points to the change in housing benefits as a possible cause.

The Guardian

The FBI testing is following some initial testing that indicated a possible cause for concern.

The Guardian

The insect was prevalent this spring and its excrement is being studied as a possible cause.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a possible cause", clearly indicate the level of certainty or evidence supporting the claim. Use qualifiers like 'may be', 'could be', or 'is potentially' to avoid overstating the case.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a possible cause" as a definite explanation without sufficient evidence. Qualify your statements to reflect the level of uncertainty and encourage further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a possible cause" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed to introduce potential explanations or reasons for an event. For instance, "Smoking is a possible cause of lung cancer."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a possible cause" is a frequently used phrase that introduces a potential explanation or reason for a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to indicate the level of certainty and avoid overstating claims without sufficient evidence. Alternatives like "a potential reason" or "a likely factor" can be used to adjust the emphasis or degree of certainty conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential reason

Replaces "cause" with "reason" and "possible" with "potential", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

a likely factor

Substitutes "possible cause" with "likely factor", suggesting a higher probability.

a potential explanation

Replaces "cause" with "explanation", focusing on understanding rather than direct causation.

a possible explanation

Substitutes "explanation" for "cause", focusing on providing an account or reason.

a contributing factor

Highlights the role of the cause as one of several elements contributing to a result.

a plausible reason

Suggests the reason is believable or credible.

one potential factor

Emphasizes that this is one of potentially many factors.

a hypothetical cause

Introduces the cause as theoretical or speculative.

a suggested cause

Indicates that the cause has been proposed but not necessarily confirmed.

a conceivable reason

Highlights that the reason is within the realm of possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "a possible cause" to introduce a potential reason for a particular event or situation. For instance, "The scientist identified a virus as "a possible cause" of the outbreak."

What are some alternatives to saying "a possible cause"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a potential reason", "a likely factor", or "a contributing factor", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

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

"A possible cause" suggests a potential explanation that requires further investigation, while "a definite cause" implies a confirmed and established reason with strong evidence. Using "a definite cause" should only be done when the cause has been verified.

Is it better to use "a possible cause" or "the possible cause"?

The choice between "a possible cause" and "the possible cause" depends on the context. Use "a possible cause" when introducing one of several potential explanations. Use "the possible cause" when referring to a specific potential explanation that has already been mentioned or is understood in context.