a specific cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific cause for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a particular reason or factor that leads to a certain outcome or effect. Example: "The researchers were unable to identify a specific cause for the sudden increase in temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A specific cause for optimism involved economic policy, in the view of former American administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer III, who left Baghdad on Monday.

The New York Times

The cumulative incidence function quantifies the probability of failure over time due to a specific cause for competing risks data.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

Activists and human rights organizations haven't been able to pin down a specific cause for this boom, The Guardian reported.

Huffington Post

Linking human colonization to a specific cause for extinction has been difficult since human activities have varied from region to region.

Wikipedia

Since then, physicians have come to realize that it is unlikely that a specific cause for low back pain can be identified in many cases and question the need to find one at all as most of the time symptoms resolve within 6 to 12 weeks regardless of treatment.

Wikipedia

Our field investigation did not suggest a specific cause for the cluster, and our subsequent incidence study detected no false-positive tests.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Additional epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data were then obtained to define a specific cause of illness for patients with any of these syndromes.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Nocturnal hypoglycaemia was identified as a specific cause of worry for parents: "When they do become a bit sporty, they do struggle, especially with getting hypos, their blood sugars drop at some point in the evening after the activity and parents worry a lot about hypos in the evening or at night and that can be something that deters them from doing activities" (P02, Consultant).

BMC Pediatrics

Higher survival for a specific cause of death can be either explained by introducing better technology for treating the disease or by behavioral factors aiming at reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

European Journal of Population

His own lawyer, breathing heavily, asked him, "If the judge does ask for a specific cause of the breakdown — and I don't say he will, we're all sailing uncharted waters here — what will you say?" "I don't know," Richard said.

The New Yorker

Postmortem findings attributable to a specific cause of death were present for all but 4 of the 94 deaths.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific cause for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the cause is specific to. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific cause for" without clearly stating what the cause is related to. For example, instead of "There was a specific cause for concern", specify the concern: "There was a specific cause for concern regarding the budget deficit."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific cause for" typically functions as a noun phrase that introduces a reason or explanation for a particular event, situation, or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific cause for" is a phrase used to indicate a particular reason or explanation for something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable. While it appears in various contexts, it is most frequently found in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly state what the cause is specific to. Consider alternatives like "a particular reason for" or "a definite cause of" to add variety to your writing. Remember to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity in your usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular reason for

Replaces 'specific' with 'particular', emphasizing a distinct reason but with slightly less precision.

a definite cause of

Replaces 'specific' and 'for' with 'definite' and 'of', indicating a more certain and direct causation.

a precise explanation for

Shifts the focus to a detailed explanation rather than just a cause.

an identifiable reason for

Highlights the ability to recognize and pinpoint the cause.

a clear motive for

Replaces 'cause' with 'motive', implying intent or purpose behind the reason.

a known factor in

Shifts focus to a contributing factor, rather than the sole cause.

a root of

Replaces 'specific cause' with a metaphor indicating the fundamental origin.

a basis for

Indicates a foundation or starting point for something.

a source of

Generalizes the cause to a source, which may be less precise.

the origin of

Focuses on the beginning or genesis of something, rather than its direct cause.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific cause for" in a sentence?

Use "a specific cause for" to introduce a particular reason or explanation for something. For instance, "Researchers identified a specific cause for the decline in bee populations".

What's the difference between "a specific cause for" and "a general cause for"?

"A specific cause for" refers to a particular, identifiable reason, while "a general cause for" refers to a broad, non-particular reason.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "a specific cause for"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a particular reason for", "a definite cause of", or "an identifiable reason for".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a specific cause for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is commonly used to introduce a particular reason or origin.