a primary cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a primary cause of" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main reason or factor that leads to a particular event or situation. Example: Poor time management skills are often cited as a primary cause of work-related stress and burnout.

✓ 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

Hyperglycemia is considered a primary cause of diabetic vascular complications.

Nitric Oxide

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

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

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

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

CO2 emission reduction is important as a primary cause of global warming.

Smart Energy Grid Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary cause of", ensure that you can provide evidence or reasoning to support the claim that the factor you're identifying is indeed a major contributor to the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary cause of" when the factor in question is only a minor or contributing element. Overstating causation can weaken your argument and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary cause of" functions as a causal connector, linking a condition or event to its most significant origin or reason. It establishes a direct relationship between a preceding factor and its subsequent outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

23%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary cause of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as a causal connector, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively identifies the main reason or origin behind a particular event or situation. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news media, and academia, lending it a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure you provide evidence to support your claim and avoid overstating causation. The phrase is very common and can be found in authoritative sources such as ScienceDirect, Nature and The New York Times. Alternative phrases include "a major reason for" and "a leading cause of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major reason for

Replaces "primary" with "major", indicating significant importance, while retaining a similar structure and emphasis on causation.

a leading cause of

Substitutes "primary" with "leading", suggesting that it's among the most significant causes.

the main reason for

Uses "main" instead of "primary", simplifying the language while maintaining the emphasis on the principal cause.

a key factor in

Shifts from cause to factor, broadening the scope to include contributing elements while still highlighting significance.

a significant contributor to

Replaces "cause" with "contributor", indicating a less direct but still substantial impact.

the principal driver of

Uses "driver" to convey a sense of force or momentum behind the cause, adding a more dynamic feel.

largely responsible for

Changes the structure to emphasize responsibility, highlighting the extent of influence.

at the root of

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the cause, suggesting a deeper, underlying reason.

a central determinant of

Replaces "cause" with "determinant", emphasizing its role in deciding or influencing an outcome.

primarily due to

Indicates causation through direct attribution, highlighting a specific factor's influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary cause of" to indicate the main reason why something happens. For example, "High blood pressure is "a primary cause of" strokes".

What are some alternatives to using "a primary cause of"?

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

Is it better to say "primary cause" or "main cause"?

Both "primary cause" and "main cause" are acceptable, but "primary cause" implies a more scientific or formal tone, while "main cause" is more general. The best choice depends on the context and your desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "a primary cause of" and "a contributing factor to"?

"A primary cause of" indicates the main reason or origin of something, while "a contributing factor to" suggests one of several elements that contribute to a result. A "contributing factor to" something isn't necessarily the main cause but plays a part in its occurrence.