a proven cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proven cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a factor that has been demonstrated through evidence or research to lead to a specific outcome or effect. Example: "The study identified a proven cause of the disease, which has significant implications for treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

BUT, he cautioned in an e-mail message, there is not a proven cause and effect that more family dinners equal less drug use.

The New York Times

If you have a proven cause of infertility then you can be eligible for NHS treatment, but those whose infertility is unexplained have to wait for three years.

Independent

In my opinion we cannot reach the level of a proven cause.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Although Downs syndrome is not a proven cause of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, it was cited as the etiology in 4 studies [ 5, 8, 10, 13].

BMC Pediatrics

Cerebral palsy is a common disorder affecting approximately 1 in 500 of the population in Western industrialized nations (Oskoui et al., 2013), but despite being so common, a proven cause is not always found.

Brain

The Bullwhip Effect is a proven cause of significant inefficiencies in SCM.

Expert Systems with Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Radiation is a proven causing factor for PTC and a number of arguments support the view that H2O2-induced damage also contributes to initiate these tumours (see Introduction).

British Journal of Cancer

That's not a definite proven cause.

Los Angeles Times

Perhaps Kundi (2006) meant that there must be epidemiologic evidence for a chemical to achieve the level of a known or proven cause of a hazard to human health.

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, Goldstein particularly emphasizes that I may have meant that "there must be epidemiologic evidence for a chemical to achieve the level of a known or proven cause of a hazard to human health".

Environmental Health Perspectives

Ben Stollery's death is a tragedy, yet the ongoing attempts from certain fractions of the media to focus his death on MDMA consumption only serves to distract from the very real issue of depression among young males a genuine, proven cause of death all over the world, every single day.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a proven cause", ensure you can provide evidence or refer to studies that support the claim. Specificity strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid claiming "a proven cause" when the evidence only suggests correlation or association. Clearly differentiate between correlation and causation to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proven cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a factor or reason that has been definitively shown to lead to a particular result. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proven cause" is a phrase used to describe a factor that has been definitively shown to lead to a specific result. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim. The phrase's purpose is to assert a direct causal link, and it's essential to avoid overstating causation when only correlation exists. According to Ludwig, it is important to use the phrase accurately to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "an established reason" or "a confirmed factor" can be used depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an established reason

Emphasizes the confirmation and acceptance of the reason.

a confirmed factor

Highlights the verification of the factor's role.

a demonstrated effect

Focuses on showcasing evidence of the effect's existence.

a validated explanation

Suggests a thorough examination and approval of the explanation.

an authenticated basis

Highlights the official confirmation of the basis.

a substantiated motive

Indicates that the motive is supported by evidence.

a verified determinant

Emphasizes the checked and confirmed determining factor.

a recognized source

Highlights the acknowledged origin or beginning.

an accepted rationale

Suggests general agreement on the reasons for something.

a definite origin

Emphasizes the clarity and certainty of the source.

FAQs

How can "a proven cause" be used in a sentence?

Use "a proven cause" to describe something demonstrably responsible for an outcome. For example: "Smoking is "a proven cause" of lung cancer."

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

"A proven cause" indicates a factor with confirmed evidence, while "a possible cause" /s/possible+cause suggests a potential but unconfirmed factor.

What can I say instead of "a proven cause"?

Alternatives include "an established reason", "a confirmed factor", or "a demonstrated effect depending" on the specific context.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a proven cause"?

It's inappropriate to use "a proven cause" when there's only correlational evidence, or when the causal link is still under debate or investigation.