ask for a cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for a cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting information or clarification about the reason behind something. Example: "If you don't understand the decision, it's perfectly fine to ask for a cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The concept of existence identifies as basic and unquestionable the fact that something exists; to ask for a cause or explanation of there being something rather than nothing is to misunderstand the place of existence in the hierarchy of concepts.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

113 Conversely, a junior doctor in Glasgow objected to being asked for a cause in six cases he had certified as 'unknown' because post-mortem examinations were said to be almost universally carried out on stillbirths within his hospital.

Economic History Review

Rundle argues that contrary to Aquinas, persistence in existence is not change and hence there is no reason to ask for a sustaining cause of what persists.

SEP

His own lawyer, breathing heavily, asked him, "If the judge does ask for a specific cause of the breakdown — and I don't say he will, we're all sailing uncharted waters here — what will you say?" "I don't know," Richard said.

The New Yorker

However, Mayr (1997) emphasized that evolutionary biology is, in the first place, concerned with answering Why-questions in the sense of "How come?" These Why-questions do not ask for a final cause, a preconceived ultimate goal.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Re: Cheetos, he better not ask for any cause nobody needs flamin' hot dust on their pussy.

Huffington Post

Blacklock won the race by over 100 yards (91 metres) without being asked for an effort, causing some people to proclaim "nothing has been seen at all equal to Mr. Watt's Blacklock since the days of Eclipse".

Wikipedia

We cannot in any good cause ask for a toxicology report of Mr Brown if we don't have a toxicology report of the officer.

The Guardian

Even if you catch me with some change in my pocket coming out of Whole Foods and ask for a donation to your pet cause, my first question will be, "Did you vote in the midterms?" If the answer is no, count me out as a supporter.

Huffington Post

If there is no medical cause, ask for a referral to a psychologist specializing in teen depression.

WikiHow

This prompted theater officials to briefly interrupt the screening and ask for a doctor in the audience, causing a brief panic among the crowd.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for a cause", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are seeking the reason for something, or requesting support for a particular cause or movement. Clarity is key to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for a cause" when you actually intend to inquire about the effect or result of something. The "cause" is the reason why something happens, while the effect is what happens as a result. Be precise in your wording to accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for a cause" functions as a verb phrase used to request or inquire about the reason or underlying explanation for something. It expresses a need to understand the motivations or origins of a situation or phenomenon, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

24%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for a cause" is a versatile and commonly used expression to inquire about the reasons or motivations behind something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to distinguish between seeking a reason and requesting support for a specific cause. Understanding this distinction will help ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request the reason

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "request" and focuses on the reason itself.

inquire about the motive

Uses "inquire" for a more formal tone and "motive" to specify the underlying reason.

seek an explanation for

Replaces "ask" with "seek" and uses "explanation" for a broader understanding.

demand justification

Conveys a stronger tone, implying a right to know the reason.

want to know the rationale

Uses "rationale" to emphasize the logical basis behind the cause.

elicit the grounds for

Employs more formal and technical language to uncover the fundamental reasons.

investigate the origin

Focuses on tracing back to the source or beginning of the cause.

determine the basis of

Emphasizes the process of establishing the foundation or reason.

find out the why

Simplifies the request to a basic inquiry about the reason.

question the basis

Directly challenges or queries the underlying reason or foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for a cause" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for a cause" when you are requesting to know the reason or explanation behind something. For example, "If you don't understand the decision, it's perfectly fine to ask for a cause."

What's the difference between "ask for a reason" and "ask for a cause"?

"Ask for a reason" is a more general inquiry, while "ask for a cause" implies a deeper or more fundamental explanation. The choice depends on the context and the level of detail you need.

Is it correct to say "ask for the cause of"?

Yes, it is correct to say "ask for the cause of". This phrase is commonly used to inquire about the reason behind a specific event or situation.

What are some formal alternatives to "ask for a cause"?

Formal alternatives include "request the reason", "inquire about the motive", or "seek an explanation for".