active cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"active cause" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used in academic contexts to refer to an action or event which directly causes a certain outcome or result. For example, "The active cause of the economic recession was a significant decrease in consumer spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This question sorts people into those for whom all that matters are the consequences (how many humans end up dead?) versus those who think it's wrong to be the active cause of someone's death.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So, al-Ghazālī may hold that the fire is a (non-active) cause of the burning, while God is its active cause.

SEP

That is, the mind is not the adequate cause of the affect; rather, it responds to some external thing, which can thus be considered the active cause.

SEP

Nevertheless, both the tripping and its active cause are required to make it true that the agent intentionally caused himself to trip.

SEP

The mind is thus an active cause of all its own ideas, including those that it generates on the occasion of being stimulated by the senses.

SEP

To return to our earlier example, if Train A moves relative to Train B, we should say, according to Leibniz, that Train A really moves if and only if, it is the active cause of their relative motion.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Minimum light by day 20 lux, bright enough for birds to be active, causes fewer eye abnormalities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But defensively, we're doing a phenomenal job of really, really being active, causing some turnovers, blocking some shots, communicating.

The New York Times - Sports

The PA-Rac, which remains inert in the dark, reacts to light because the plant protein changes shape and allows Rac to become active, causing the cells to move.

Johns Hopkins University

The Intertropical Convergence Zone became active, causing monsoonal southwesterly flow to enter the system from the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Wikipedia

This exchange continued until the arrival of Active caused the Danaé, Corona and Carolina to sheer off and retreat to the east.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex phenomena, clearly define what you consider the "active cause" to avoid ambiguity. Acknowledge other contributing factors to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid attributing complex issues to a single "active cause" without acknowledging other contributing factors. Over simplification can lead to inaccurate conclusions and ineffective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "active cause" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the primary agent or reason directly responsible for a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show its usage in diverse contexts from philosophical arguments to scientific reports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "active cause" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to identify the primary agent responsible for a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. It's most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts, with a formal register. While less common than simpler alternatives in informal conversation, it remains a precise and valuable term for detailed analysis. Remember to avoid oversimplification by acknowledging other contributing factors when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causal agent

A more formal and direct synonym, suitable for academic or scientific writing.

primary driver

Focuses on the driving force behind an event or situation, shifting from a general cause to a more specific instigator.

driving force

Similar to "primary driver", this emphasizes the impetus or momentum behind a process.

main reason

Highlights the principal reason something happened, emphasizing the justification or explanation.

root cause

Indicates the fundamental, underlying cause, going deeper than the immediate trigger.

immediate cause

Pinpoints the direct and most recent factor that led to a specific result.

key factor

Emphasizes the significance of a contributing element, rather than pinpointing a sole cause.

proximate cause

Identifies the event that is closest in time to the effect, often used in legal and scientific contexts.

underlying mechanism

Focuses on the process or system that produces an effect, useful in scientific contexts.

principal agent

Highlights the entity or force that is most responsible for bringing about an outcome.

FAQs

How is "active cause" typically used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "active cause" is used to identify the primary factor that directly leads to a specific effect or outcome. It's often used when analyzing complex systems or events where multiple factors are at play.

What are some alternatives to using "active cause" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "primary driver", "main reason", or "root cause" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "active cause" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "active cause" is more commonly found in formal or academic contexts. In informal conversation, simpler terms like "main reason" or "key factor" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "active cause" and "proximate cause"?

"Active cause" generally refers to the main or principal reason something happens, while "proximate cause", often used in legal or scientific contexts, refers to the event that is closest in time to the effect.