alleged cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alleged cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a cause that is claimed or asserted but not yet proven or confirmed. Example: "The alleged cause of the accident is still under investigation by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Bowlby argued that with attachment theory he had made good the "deficiencies of the data and the lack of theory to link alleged cause and effect" of Maternal Care and Mental Health.

Wikipedia

Bowlby claimed to have made good the "deficiencies of the data and the lack of theory to link alleged cause and effect" in Maternal Care and Mental Health in his later work Attachment and Loss published between 1969 and 1980.

Wikipedia

Ethnicity, the genocide's alleged cause, is being outlawed.The use and abuse of anti-genocide lawFor sure, the government's policy has contributed to a new era of peace; Rwanda, it is generally agreed, is now one of Africa's most law-abiding countries.

The Economist

Some focus on the type of condition that the alleged cause must constitute in relation to the alleged consequence.

SEP

The latter, however extraordinary, does not preclude the attribution of the outcome to which it contributes to the alleged cause.

SEP

Even supposing that the alleged cause constitutes the right sort of condition of the outcome (e.g. a necessary condition), responsibility cannot extend indefinitely.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But foreseeability, though it bears some relation to probability, is clearly a non-causal criterion, and one that can apply only to human conduct, not to other alleged causes.

SEP

Which condition is taken to preempt the other is sometimes controversial but it is clear than in reaching a decision attention must be paid to the stages and processes by which the alleged causes lead to the harmful outcome.

SEP

What is meant by an unmanipulable cause is not made very clear, but the examples discussed typically involve alleged causes (e.g., race, or membership in a particular species, or perhaps gender) for which we lack any clear conception of what would be involved in manipulating them or any basis for assessing what would happen under such a manipulation.

SEP

Regardless of the alleged "causes" of this excessive demand, there was consensus about the need to organize the emergency medical services in order to channel health care delivery toward a more rational and hierarchical utilization of the health resources [ 7- 9].

BMC Health Services Research

In books such as Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases (1892) and The Red Record: Tabulated Statistics and Alleged Causes of Lynching in the United States (1895), Wells did more than examine the stories, narratives, and realities of lynching; she consistently linked them to the historical and societal forces that had produced this epidemic of violence and vigilantism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative contexts, using "alleged cause" adds a layer of precision, reminding the reader that claims are still unproven.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "alleged cause" as a definitive fact, especially when discussing sensitive topics like criminal accusations. Prematurely stating something as a cause when it's only an allegation can lead to misinterpretations and potential defamation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alleged cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a claimed or asserted reason for a particular event or situation, emphasizing that the cause is yet to be proven or fully substantiated. As Ludwig AI explains, it references a cause that is claimed or asserted but not yet proven or confirmed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alleged cause" is a noun phrase used to describe a potential reason or explanation that has been claimed but not definitively proven. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability in various writing contexts. As highlighted by the examples, it's most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and wiki sources, indicating its function in maintaining neutrality and objectivity. When using this phrase, remember to avoid presenting it as a confirmed fact and consider alternatives like "supposed reason" or "purported explanation" depending on the desired nuance. Remember to apply the best practices detailed in this guide to maximize clarity and correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supposed reason

Emphasizes the claim's hypothetical or speculative nature.

purported explanation

Highlights the act of presenting something as the reason, without confirming its validity.

stated reason

Focuses on the articulation of the reason, irrespective of its truth.

presumed factor

Suggests the cause is assumed based on available information, but may not be definitively proven.

ostensible motive

Indicates a reason presented outwardly, which may conceal the real underlying factor.

professed grounds

Highlights the declaration of a reason or justification, often in a formal context.

reported trigger

Conveys that the cause has been mentioned or communicated by someone else.

contended influence

Suggests that the cause is being argued or debated, rather than accepted as fact.

attributed source

Focuses on the origin or agent to which the cause is assigned, without confirming its accuracy.

suspected impetus

Suggests the reason is under suspicion or scrutiny, implying doubt or investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "alleged cause" to refer to something that is claimed to have produced a particular effect but has not yet been proven. For example, "The "alleged cause" of the fire is faulty wiring."

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

"Alleged cause" refers to something that is claimed to be the cause, while "actual cause" refers to the confirmed and proven reason for something.

What are some alternatives to using "alleged cause"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "supposed reason", "purported explanation", or "stated reason".

Is it appropriate to use "alleged cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "alleged cause" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing legal, investigative, or academic matters where objectivity and precision are essential.