a range of causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a range of causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing various factors or reasons that contribute to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The study identified a range of causes for the decline in bee populations, including habitat loss and pesticide use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He embraced a range of causes in Africa and from Palestine to the Philippines.

The Guardian

Experts suggest a range of causes, from isolation and depression in rural areas, to easy access to guns.

The New York Times

And those were just two chapters of a life devoted to a range of causes.

The New York Times

Divorce could be obtained by mutual consent but also for a range of causes including desertion and simple incompatibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It found a range of causes for products being mis-sold, from incompetent or intimidating sales teams to products that were badly designed or unsuitable.

The Guardian - Money

Their most famous grouping is perhaps Anonymous, the amorphous grouping of hackers that has adopted a range of causes, attacking websites, individuals and organisations as it sees fit.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sleepiness is a nonspecific symptom caused by a range of underlying causes and should be differentiated from sleep-disordered breathing and sleep deficiency.

Diabetes Care

The rest of his life was devoted to a range of political causes.

The Guardian - Books

Her specialty is voting rights, but she has been involved in a range of liberal causes, as both a professor and litigator.

The New Yorker

These days, Mr. Spano's office organizes programs encouraging mall-walking for exercise, and discouraging teenage smoking, and promoting a range of other causes.

The New York Times

Students also come together to volunteer their time for a range of good causes and last year completed 4,601 hours volunteering.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a range of causes", ensure that you provide specific examples or categories of these causes to give the reader a clearer understanding. For example, 'The decline in sales was due to a range of causes, including increased competition and changing consumer preferences'.

Common error

Avoid using "a range of causes" as a vague placeholder without further elaboration. If you cannot specify the causes, consider rephrasing to indicate uncertainty or lack of information. For example, instead of 'The problem was caused by a range of causes', try 'The problem's cause is currently unknown but suspected to involve several factors'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a range of causes" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a range of causes" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that multiple factors contribute to a specific outcome. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news articles, scientific publications, and academic papers. To enhance clarity, it's beneficial to specify these causes whenever possible. While alternatives like "a variety of reasons" and "multiple factors" exist, "a range of causes" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a variety of reasons

Emphasizes the diversity of reasons, focusing on their distinct nature.

a multitude of factors

Highlights the numerous factors involved, stressing the quantity of contributing elements.

various contributing elements

Focuses on the role of different elements in contributing to an outcome.

several underlying reasons

Emphasizes the fact that reasons are not always obvious and could have a root origin.

diverse array of factors

Highlights the broad spectrum of factors, suggesting a wide-ranging influence.

a spectrum of reasons

Implies a continuous scale of reasons, with varying degrees of influence.

multiple causative agents

Focuses on the agents responsible for causing an event or condition.

different causal factors

Emphasizes the distinction between each causal factor.

an assortment of triggers

Suggests that there are many triggers activating an event.

a combination of influences

Highlights that multiple influences are acting together.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a range of causes" in a sentence?

To use "a range of causes" effectively, clearly state the phenomenon being influenced and provide specific examples of those causes. For instance, "The company's success was attributable to "a range of causes", including innovative marketing, a dedicated team, and strong customer relationships."

What are some alternatives to saying "a range of causes"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a variety of reasons", "multiple factors", or "various contributing elements" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to list the causes when using the phrase "a range of causes"?

Yes, listing the causes is highly recommended. While "a range of causes" indicates that there are several contributing factors, specifying those factors provides clarity and strengthens your argument. It transforms the statement from vague to informative.

Can "a range of causes" be used to describe both positive and negative outcomes?

Yes, "a range of causes" is neutral and can describe factors leading to both positive and negative outcomes. For example, "The project's failure was due to "a range of causes"" (negative) or "The scientific breakthrough resulted from "a range of causes"" (positive).