as the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the reason or factor behind a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The researchers identified several factors, with climate change being highlighted as the cause of the recent weather anomalies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Domestic politics was described as the cause.

The New York Times

Officials ruled out terrorism as the cause.

The New York Times

The doctor identified witchcraft as the cause.

The New York Times

H.I.V. hadn't been discovered as the cause yet.

The New York Times - Science

"Therefore I give as the cause of death: 1a.

The Guardian

It is as great as the cause of mankind".

The New Yorker

Other evidence supports the weather as the cause.

The New York Times - Science

Consumption of contaminated water is suspected as the cause.

The New York Times

The lender cited Mr. Strachan's rising total debt, and late and missing payments, as the cause.

The New York Times

"I'm at a complete loss as far as the cause," Hughes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Then she'll be looked at as the cause of the disease".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the cause" when you want to explicitly identify the reason or origin of a specific event, problem, or situation. Ensure the sentence clearly links the cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid using "as the cause" in very simple sentences where a more direct term like "because of" or "due to" would be more concise and effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the cause" functions as a post-modifier, clarifying or identifying the reason or origin of a particular event or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. It typically appears after a verb like "identified", "described", or "ruled out."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as the cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to pinpoint the origin or reason behind a specific event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and utilized across diverse contexts, particularly in news reporting and scientific analyses. While perfectly acceptable, consider that simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" may sometimes provide a more concise option, particularly in less formal contexts. When employing "as the cause", ensure that the sentence structure clearly connects the cause and its effect for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to

A common and versatile alternative, suitable for various contexts.

the reason for

More direct and concise; often used in less formal contexts.

the origin of

Focuses on the starting point or source, rather than the ongoing process.

resulting from

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome of the cause.

the source of

Highlights where something comes from, rather than the overall explanation.

on account of

Similar to "due to" but can also imply a justification or excuse.

attributable to

More formal and often used in scientific or technical writing to assign responsibility.

owing to

A more formal synonym for "due to", often used in official reports or documents.

the basis for

Suggests a foundational element or underlying reason.

in consequence of

A formal way to indicate a result or effect of a cause.

FAQs

How can I use "as the cause" in a sentence?

Use "as the cause" to specify the reason behind an event or situation, like "The doctor identified witchcraft "as the cause" of the illness".

What's a less formal alternative to "as the cause"?

For less formal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to", which convey the same meaning more directly.

Is it correct to say "as a cause" instead of "as the cause"?

While "as a cause" isn't grammatically incorrect, "as the cause" is more precise when referring to a specific reason. "As a cause" usually introduces one of several reasons or motivations.

Which is better: "the cause is" or "as the cause"?

Use "the cause is" when stating the reason directly. Use "as the cause" when identifying or describing the reason within a larger context.