a primary cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary cause for" 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 for the decline in bee populations, which is the widespread use of pesticides."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Turner said that playing more had been a primary cause for his recent emergence.

The New York Times - Sports

(The fundamentalism of these groups was a primary cause for Oklahoma's retention of the prohibition of liquor sales until 1959).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Intelligence officials briefing the cabinet suggested that violent unrest in Syria was a primary cause for a shift by Hamas.

The Economist

Rio de Janeiro has the third most congested roads in the world (after Moscow and Istanbul), which is not just a daily headache for professional drivers, it is also a primary cause for concern ahead of the Olympics.

The Guardian

The younger Bush's move comes at a pivotal moment for the GOP, after the party's lack of success with Latino voters was cited as a primary cause for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's loss to President Barack Obama in Tuesday's general election.

The Guardian

A fundamental issue is whether such variation is a primary cause for disease or reflects secondary inflammatory change.

Cytokine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Loss of the normal sleep/wake cycle is a primary cause of institutionalization for dementia, and is even thought to be a contributing factor, and/or preclinical sign of neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease [ 14- 16].

Aging

Tobacco-related diseases are a primary cause of death for people living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) [ 1] and lead to premature death an average of 25 years earlier than the general population [ 2].

BMC Public Health

Evidence regarding more recent pandemic outbreaks of influenza, however, suggest that mortality due to secondary bacterial infection remains a primary cause of death for individuals initially suffering from influenza, even during an era where antibiotics are in widespread use.

BMC Infectious Diseases

This report catalogues, in heart-wrenching detail, the array of dangers adolescents face: the injuries that kill 400,000 of them each year; early pregnancy and childbirth, a primary cause of death for teenage girls; the pressures that keep 70 million adolescents out of school; exploitation, violent conflict and the worst kind of abuse at the hands of adults.

Unicef

For similar reasons, heat illness is rarely listed as a primary cause of death on death certificates for deaths that occur in hospitals or emergency rooms (ERs).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary cause for", ensure that you can substantiate it with evidence. Avoid overstating the cause if other contributing factors are at play.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a primary cause for" as the only cause. Acknowledge that complex issues often result from multiple contributing factors to provide a more nuanced understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary cause for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary reason or factor that leads to a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary cause for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to identify the main reason behind a particular event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability. While it's crucial to acknowledge potential secondary factors, clearly identifying the primary cause provides a strong foundation for understanding complex issues. Alternatives like "a leading reason for" or "the principal reason behind" can offer different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent. This phrase is a valuable tool for clear and effective communication in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading reason for

Replaces "primary" with "leading", emphasizing importance but with a slightly different connotation.

a major contributing factor to

Uses "contributing factor" to highlight the role in influencing an outcome, adding a more detailed description.

the principal reason behind

Substitutes "primary cause" with "principal reason", altering the structure while keeping the core meaning.

a key determinant of

Emphasizes the decisive nature of the cause, changing the wording to highlight the impact.

the foremost reason for

Replaces "primary" with "foremost", indicating the most important reason.

a central factor in

Focuses on the importance of the cause, positioning it as a central element.

a significant driver of

Highlights the dynamic aspect of the cause, portraying it as a driving force.

the main source of

Shifts the focus to the origin or source, changing the perspective on the cause.

a critical influence on

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the cause as an influence.

the root of

Indicates the fundamental origin, simplifying the phrase to its most basic meaning.

FAQs

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

"A primary cause for" indicates the main reason or factor behind something, while "a secondary cause for" refers to a less significant, but still contributing, reason.

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

You can use "a primary cause for" to introduce the most important reason behind a particular event or situation. For example, "The researchers identified air pollution as "a primary cause for" the increase in respiratory illnesses."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a primary cause for"?

Alternatives include "a leading reason for", "a major contributing factor to", or "the principal reason behind", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a primary cause of" is also grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "a primary cause for". The choice between them depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, although "of" is more commonly used.