a primary cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The researchers identified a primary cause of the decline in bee populations as the widespread use of pesticides."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A Primary Cause of Partisanship?

Princeton University

Redox imbalance is a primary cause of endothelial dysfunction (ED).

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Hyperglycemia is considered a primary cause of diabetic vascular complications.

Nitric Oxide

A primary cause of rising costs is longer sentences.

The New York Times

It said closures were a primary cause of the Palestinian humanitarian crisis.

The Guardian

Among cities surveyed, 44percentt identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness.

Cornell University

Deciphering metastatic routes is critically important as metastasis is a primary cause of cancer mortality.

Stanford University

However, a primary cause for the dilated cardiomyopathy could not be ruled out.

Cornell University

It is believed to be a primary cause of the collapse of Hohokam society.

Yale University

Fatigue failure in blades resulting from alternating loads is a primary cause of aircraft engine failure.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Calf scours is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the dairy industry.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a primary cause" when you want to emphasize the most important factor among multiple possible causes. This helps to focus the reader's attention on the key driver behind an event or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary cause" when multiple factors contribute equally to an outcome. In such cases, consider using phrases like "a major contributing factor" or "one of the main causes" to avoid implying a single dominant factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary cause" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the main reason or factor responsible for a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a primary cause" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for identifying the main factor contributing to a specific outcome. According to Ludwig AI, its correctness and versatility make it suitable for diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While it's essential to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the most significant factor, understanding its alternatives, such as ""a leading cause"" or ""a main reason"", can enhance your writing. By avoiding overstatements and considering other contributing factors, you can effectively use "a primary cause" to explain causality with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading cause

Emphasizes the prominence or rank of the cause.

the foremost reason

Emphasizes the importance and ranking of the cause.

the principal reason

Indicates the foremost or most important reason.

a key factor

Highlights the essential or crucial nature of the cause.

a main reason

Focuses on the rationale or justification behind something.

a major factor

Highlights the significance or impact of the cause.

a significant contributor

Focuses on the contribution or involvement of the cause.

a root cause

Indicates the fundamental or underlying reason.

the driving force

Suggests the cause is the impetus or energy behind an event.

a central element

Highlights the importance of a contributing part.

FAQs

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

Use "a primary cause" to indicate the main reason or factor behind a specific outcome. For example, "The researchers identified a primary cause of the decline in bee populations."

What are some alternatives to "a primary cause"?

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

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

Using "the primary cause" suggests there is only one main cause, while "a primary cause" implies it is the most significant among potentially other causes. Choose based on whether you are indicating the single most important factor or one of several.

What is the difference between "a primary cause" and "a secondary cause"?

"A primary cause" refers to the main or most significant reason, while "a secondary cause" indicates a contributing factor that is less influential than the primary one. Consider the relative importance of the causes when selecting the appropriate term.