as to the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to the cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the source or reason behind a particular event or situation. For example, "As to the cause of the fire, experts believe it was started by an electrical malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He minces no words as to the cause of death.

The New York Times

Investigators are studying the wreckage for clues as to the cause of the crash.

The Guardian

There is no mystery as to the cause of these working conditions.

The Guardian

More illuminating as to the cause of that loneliness were those who shared George's other world.

The Guardian - Books

"There was nothing overtly obvious as to the cause of his death," Cpl.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, the persistent rainfall has sprouted questions as to the cause.

The New York Times

Officials said they still had no clue as to the cause of the fire.

The New York Times

We haven't been given any information as to the cause of Hope's death.

The Guardian

As to the cause of this superiority, it lies, of course, in money.

Independent

But no one was in any doubt as to the cause of the explosion.

Independent

He informed the local authorities and explained his hunch as to the cause.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "as to the cause" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "regarding the origin" or "concerning the reason".

Common error

Avoid using "as to the cause" in situations where the effect is not clearly established. The phrase implies that a phenomenon exists and its cause is being investigated. For instance, avoid saying, "As to the cause of the potential problem..." It's more appropriate to investigate whether the problem exists first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to the cause" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a topic of inquiry or discussion. It serves to direct attention toward the reason or origin behind an event, as demonstrated in Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as to the cause" is a prepositional phrase frequently used to introduce inquiries or discussions about the origin or reason behind a specific event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with notable usage in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, clarity and contextual relevance are crucial to prevent ambiguity. Remember that alternatives like "regarding the reason" and "concerning the origin" can offer nuanced variations. "As to the cause" serves as a reliable tool for prompting investigation and explanation across diverse communicative scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the reason

Replaces "as to the cause" with a more direct phrasing using "regarding".

concerning the origin

Substitutes "cause" with "origin", focusing on the starting point of something.

in relation to the source

Replaces "as to" with "in relation to", shifting the focus to the source of the event.

with respect to the reason

Emphasizes the reason, using a more formal tone.

pertaining to the etiology

Uses a more scientific term, "etiology", to refer to the cause, making it suitable for medical or technical contexts.

about the grounds

Focuses on the basis or justification for something.

considering the genesis

Replaces "cause" with "genesis", highlighting the beginning or creation of something.

in connection with the determinant

Uses the word "determinant" to emphasize the factor that conclusively affects or determines an outcome.

anent the motivation

Employs the archaic term "anent", meaning concerning or regarding, in relation to the underlying reason.

respecting the wellspring

Substitutes "cause" with "wellspring", focusing on the place where something originates or flows forth.

FAQs

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

You can use "as to the cause" to introduce an inquiry or discussion about the reason behind a specific event or situation. For example, "Investigators are still unsure "as to the cause" of the accident."

What are some alternatives to "as to the cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "regarding the reason", "concerning the origin", or "in relation to the source" to convey a similar meaning while varying your phrasing.

Is "as to the cause" formal or informal?

"As to the cause" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for a variety of contexts, including news reporting, scientific discussions, and general writing. More formal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "as to the cause" and "because of"?

"As to the cause" introduces a discussion or inquiry about the reason, while "because of" directly states the reason for something. For example, "Investigators are looking "as to the cause" of the fire" versus "The fire started because of faulty wiring."