a serious cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an important or significant reason for an action or event, often in discussions about social issues, health, or advocacy. Example: "The organization is raising funds for a serious cause that affects many families in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While gynecomastia can be embarrassing, it rarely has a serious cause.

Harvard University

Certain symptoms suggest a serious cause of foot pain that requires prompt attention.

Harvard University

Asked if so-called deep fakes are a serious cause of concern, Goel replied: "Yes.

Stanford University

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality.

Clinics in Chest Medicine

Fatigue in human drivers is a serious cause of road accidents.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

A serious cause of the Afghan people's disenchantment with NATO and with the Afghan government.

The New Yorker

And for Marshall, his own results are a serious cause for concern.

Nature

Certainly, France's high suicide rate is a serious cause for concern.

The Economist

Neurocognitive dysfunction is a serious cause of morbidity, yet little is known about neurocognitive dysfunction after HCT.

Stanford University

Neurocognitive dysfunction is a serious cause of morbidity, yet little is known about neurocognitive dysfunction following HCT.

Stanford University

Suicide is a substantial public health problem, and it remains a serious cause of death in the world.

Psychiatry Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious cause", ensure the context clearly establishes the significance of the reason or factor being presented. Providing specific details or examples can further emphasize its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious cause" when the situation is only mildly concerning or insignificant. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something of significant importance or concern. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its wide applicability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious cause" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for denoting a significant reason or factor. Analysis of example sentences confirms its prevalence across diverse domains like Science, News & Media and Academia. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for use in a variety of contexts and aims to highlight the importance of a particular issue. While alternatives such as "a major factor" or "a significant contributor" may be used depending on the specific nuance, it's important to reserve "a serious cause" for situations where the weight of the consequences is substantial. Avoiding overuse ensures that the phrase retains its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave reason

Emphasizes the weight and significance of the reason, highlighting its potential consequences. It changes "cause" to "reason", adding slight change in formality.

a major factor

Shifts the focus to the influential role of something in contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Using "factor" instead of "cause" provides a broader perspective.

a significant contributor

Highlights the active role something plays in leading to a specific result. It changes the noun and adds more emphasis to its action.

a critical element

Focuses on the essential and indispensable nature of something. "Critical" replaces "serious", emphasizing the importance of a specific element.

a noteworthy reason

Emphasizes that the reason is deserving of attention or recognition. Using "noteworthy" adds an element of observation.

a pressing concern

Indicates something that demands immediate attention and action. It changes "cause" with "concern" and introduce a different focus.

a paramount issue

Stresses the supreme importance and urgency of the issue. Using "paramount" intensifies the seriousness.

a substantial motivation

Highlights a solid and considerable impetus behind an action. It changes the focus to the motivational aspect.

a compelling motive

Indicates a strong and convincing reason that drives someone to act. It uses "motive" focusing on the reason for the action.

a material consideration

Focuses on the relevance and significance of something when making a decision. Using "consideration" introduces a deliberate evaluation aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious cause" to highlight a significant reason or factor contributing to a situation. For example, "Deforestation is "a serious cause" of habitat loss." Ensure that the context clearly supports the weight of the cause being presented.

What are some alternatives to saying "a serious cause"?

You can use alternatives like "a major factor", "a significant contributor", or "a grave reason" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a serious cause"?

It's appropriate when discussing issues with significant implications, such as health problems, environmental concerns, or social injustices. Avoid using it for trivial matters.

What's the difference between "a serious cause" and "a primary reason"?

"A serious cause" implies the reason has weighty consequences, while "a primary reason" simply indicates the main reason without necessarily highlighting its severity.