basic cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental reason or underlying factor behind a situation or event. Example: "The basic cause of the issue was a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Usage

Academic Writing

News Reporting

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The basic cause of the foolishness is largely ignored.

The New York Times

The basic cause of dialectal differentiation is linguistic change.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The civil war has regional, religious, and economic dimensions, but its basic cause is political.

The New Yorker

The basic cause is the literal fact that the world is finite.

The New York Times

The sectarian Royal Ulster Constabulary has always been a basic cause of the Troubles.

The New York Times

Moreover, though much has been learned about its manifestations, the basic cause remains a mystery.

The New York Times

Geographic isolation was a basic cause of New Mexico's slow economic development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Generation of energy primarily depends on conventional sources, which is the basic cause of environmental pollution.

Sustainable Cities and Society

But if the carnage was hard to comprehend, its basic cause for many at the scene was not.

The New York Times

Legislature Happy to Stay Divided The basic cause of New York's troubles, experts say, is its uniquely entrenched, divided government.

The New York Times

In spite of two consecutive summers of violence, not a single basic cause of riots has been corrected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or formal writing, consider using more precise synonyms like "root cause" or "underlying reason" to add nuance and clarity to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid attributing outcomes solely to the "basic cause" without acknowledging other contributing factors. While it identifies the primary driver, secondary influences often play a significant role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it's used to identify the fundamental reason behind various phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic cause" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the fundamental reason or origin of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific analysis. While alternatives like "root cause" or "underlying reason" may offer more nuance in specific situations, "basic cause" serves as a clear and versatile choice. When using this phrase, remember to consider other contributing factors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root cause

Emphasizes the deepest, most fundamental cause of a problem.

underlying reason

Focuses on the reason that supports or explains something, often not immediately obvious.

primary driver

Highlights the main force or factor that propels a certain outcome.

fundamental reason

Stresses the essential and irreducible explanation.

chief factor

Indicates the most important element contributing to a situation.

mainspring

Refers to the primary motive or impelling force.

core reason

Highlights the central and most important reason.

essential factor

Emphasizes a factor that is indispensable and crucial.

central reason

Points to the reason that is the focal point or heart of the matter.

key factor

Highlights a factor of significant importance or influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "basic cause" to identify the main reason behind a situation. For example: "The "basic cause" of the problem was poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "basic cause"?

Some alternatives include "root cause", "underlying reason", or "primary driver", depending on the context.

Is "basic cause" formal or informal?

"Basic cause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "fundamental reason" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "basic cause" and "primary cause"?

While similar, "basic cause" typically refers to the most fundamental or root reason, whereas "primary cause" emphasizes the most significant or influential factor.