actual cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actual cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in discussions related to causation, particularly in legal, scientific, or philosophical contexts to refer to the specific factor that directly leads to an event or outcome. Example: "In the investigation, we determined that the actual cause of the accident was a mechanical failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The actual cause of death was dehydration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The actual cause of the fire is no mystery.

The New York Times

The actual cause was a fungus in the soil.

The New York Times

The actual cause of Alzheimer's is currently unknown.

Harvard University

"It's not clear whether what's being chosen on the menu is in fact the actual cause".

The New York Times

All of the doctors seemed to agree that the actual cause was not known.

The New York Times - Health

But such BRF-inducing events are not the actual cause of the rise of BRF.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The actual cause of it, no one is really sure, O.K.?" Willingham said.

The New York Times - Sports

The actual cause was much more grim: the water was covered almost completely in dead fish.

The Guardian

The actual cause of death was a single shot to the back of the head.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Of course, a dearth of pesticides was the actual cause of the infestation," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, provide evidence to support your claim about the "actual cause" to enhance credibility.

Common error

Be careful not to mistake a correlation for the "actual cause". Just because two events occur together doesn't mean one necessarily caused the other. Further investigation is often required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the specific and factual reason behind an event or phenomenon. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in pinpointing the true origin or source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actual cause" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the definitive reason behind an event, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most often in news, scientific, and academic contexts, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and clarity. While grammatically straightforward, it is crucial to differentiate between correlation and causation when determining the "actual cause". Alternatives like "true cause" or "root cause" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

true cause

Focuses on the genuineness and validity of the reason.

real reason

Emphasizes authenticity over apparent or superficial explanations.

underlying factor

Highlights a less obvious, fundamental element contributing to the situation.

root cause

Indicates a foundational reason that triggers a series of subsequent events.

primary driver

Suggests the primary impetus or force behind an event.

chief reason

Stresses the hierarchical importance of a particular cause above others.

mainspring

Highlights the essential, motivating principle.

ultimate source

Points to the origin from which the event or situation originates.

determinant factor

Emphasizes the decisive influence of a specific reason.

causative agent

Focuses on the entity or process directly responsible for producing an effect.

FAQs

How to use "actual cause" in a sentence?

You can use "actual cause" to specify the real reason something happened, distinguishing it from perceived or potential reasons. For example, "The autopsy revealed the /s/true+cause was a previously undetected heart condition".

What can I say instead of "actual cause"?

You can use alternatives like "true cause", "real reason", or "root cause" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "actual cause" or "real cause"?

Both "actual cause" and "real cause" are correct and often interchangeable. "Actual cause" might be preferred in formal or technical contexts, while "real cause" is common in everyday language.

What's the difference between "actual cause" and "proximate cause"?

"Actual cause" refers to the direct reason for an event, while "proximate cause" ("proximate cause") is a legal term that considers whether the harm was a foreseeable result of the action. Proximate cause requires legal elements like foreseeability, whereas "actual cause" simply refers to the factual cause.