a serious source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious source of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that significantly contributes to a particular issue or situation, often with negative implications. Example: "The lack of funding has become a serious source of concern for the project's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"We recognize that ultimately household debt could become a serious source of financial risk," he said.

The New York Times

The state of Spanish regional and municipal finance remains a serious source of worry.

The New York Times

Buses can be a serious source of city centre air pollution.

Research in Transportation Economics

External ventricular drains (EVDs) are a serious source of morbidity and mortality.

World Neurosurgery

The freebies and miniature packs of everything, from shoe-cleaning kits to peanuts, are also a serious source of joy - not just for kids.

The Guardian - Travel

Psychologists have recognised the particular discomfort that 66% of British people get when their battery's running low as a serious source of separation anxiety.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Still, by next year, if work proceeds at the current pace it is easy to see Arak become an serious source of international friction.

The Guardian

"I think this is a major, serious source of new significant revenue for Google," Mr. Rubin said.

The New York Times

The presence of common lead contamination in zircons used for U Pb geochronology is a potentially serious source of error.

Chemical Geology

There is a further serious source of confusion, as pancreatic insufficiency is said to occur in both diseases.

BMC Pediatrics

In some instances, Dórea says, commercial formula may be a more serious source of heavy metals than human milk.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious source of", ensure that the noun following "of" clearly identifies what is being originated or caused. For example, "a serious source of pollution" is more effective than "a serious source of things."

Common error

Avoid using "a serious source of" to describe trivial or insignificant issues. Ensure the context genuinely warrants the descriptor "serious" to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious source of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the origin or cause of something significant, often with negative implications. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a serious source of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to identify the origin or cause of something significant. Ludwig's analysis, aligning with the numerous examples found, indicates that this phrase is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this phrase, it's advisable to ensure that the context warrants the descriptor "serious" and that the following noun clearly specifies what is being originated or caused.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major cause of

Replaces "source" with "cause", emphasizing the origination of an event or condition.

a significant origin of

Substitutes "source" with "origin", giving a slightly more formal tone and highlighting the point of commencement.

a critical factor in

Shifts the focus to importance rather than origination, with "factor" implying contribution to a result.

a primary driver of

Emphasizes the propelling or motivating aspect of the source, indicating a strong influence.

a key contributor to

Highlights the aspect of contributing to something, often in a collaborative or additive way.

a notable reason for

Focuses on providing a justification or explanation for something, rather than its direct origin.

a central element of

Indicates that something is a necessary or integral part of a larger whole.

a substantial component of

Highlights that something is a sizable or considerable part of a larger entity.

a leading influence on

Indicates that something has a guiding or directing effect on something else.

a considerable determinant of

Replaces "source" with "determinant", focusing on something that strongly influences an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious source of" in a sentence?

Use "a serious source of" to describe something that significantly contributes to a particular issue or situation. For example, "The lack of funding has become "a serious source of" concern for the project's future."

What can I say instead of "a serious source of"?

You can use alternatives like "a major cause of", "a significant origin of", or "a critical factor in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a serious source of" or "a major source of"?

Both "a serious source of" and "a major source of" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Serious" emphasizes the severity or importance of the source, while "major" emphasizes its size or scale.

What's the difference between "a serious source of" and "a potential source of"?

"A serious source of" indicates that something is currently causing a significant issue, while "a potential source of" indicates that something has the possibility of causing a significant issue in the future.