be the primary cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be the primary cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main reason or factor behind an event or situation. Example: "The recent changes in policy may be the primary cause of the decline in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disease processes that develop with age were shown to be the primary cause of deposition abnormalities.

Respiration Physiology

Though I regret the marketisation of education, the league tables and the testing, these cannot be the primary cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the other hand, the plugs may not be the primary cause of the disease, Dr. Franks said.

The New York Times - Health

Rising sea surface temperatures over the same period are thought to be the primary cause of this decline.

Britannica

Our results suggest that disrupted sleep homeostasis may be the primary cause of sleep disruption observed following binge drinking.

Alcohol

The farmers' socio-economic status was found to be the primary cause of differences in species richness.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Cuts in state support of postsecondary education will also continue to be the primary cause of public college tuition inflation.

The New York Times

On a worldwide basis, motor-vehicle accidents tend to be the primary cause of accidental deaths, followed by those in industry and in the home.

Britannica

Bed incision of the upper Yellow River was considered to be the primary cause for the long-term degradation of the Ruoergai Swamp.

CATENA

The results indicated that nonpistonlike motion of elements is likely to be the primary cause of differences between the measured and modelled fields.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology

Amphibian populations have been declining worldwide due to a number of environmental and human factors with habitat destruction, alteration and fragmentation considered to be the primary cause.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when choosing between "be the primary cause" and similar phrases like "be the main reason" or "be the leading factor".

Common error

Avoid using "be the primary cause" when multiple factors contribute significantly to an outcome. Instead, acknowledge other contributing elements to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be the primary cause" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying the subject with the most significant reason or factor. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples show its utility in various contexts, from scientific explanations to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be the primary cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to identify the main reason or factor behind an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When writing, ensure the claim is supported by evidence and consider alternative phrases like "be the main cause" or "be the leading factor" depending on the desired level of formality. Avoid overstating causality by acknowledging other contributing factors to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the main cause

Replaces "primary" with "main", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

be the leading cause

Substitutes "primary" with "leading", implying prominence or significance.

be the principal reason

Replaces "cause" with "reason", shifting the focus to justification or rationale.

be the root cause

Indicates the fundamental or underlying reason, implying a deeper level of causality.

be the major factor

Replaces "cause" with "factor", suggesting one of several contributing elements, but still the most important.

be the key factor

Similar to "be the major factor" but emphasizes the importance of a particular element

be the central reason

Highlights the importance of the reason

be the dominant factor

Similar to "be the major factor" but emphasize the idea of dominance.

be the underlying cause

Indicates a less visible, but fundamental aspect that explains an event.

be the source of

This indicates the origin of a situation or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "be the primary cause" in a sentence?

Use "be the primary cause" to identify the main factor responsible for a specific outcome. For example, "Rising sea surface temperatures are thought to "be the primary cause" of this decline."

What are some alternatives to "be the primary cause"?

You can use alternatives such as "be the main cause", "be the leading cause", or "be the principal reason" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be the primary cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "be the primary cause" is appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts to clearly indicate the main causal factor.

What's the difference between ""be the primary cause"" and "be a contributing factor"?

"Be the primary cause" indicates the main reason for an outcome, while "be a contributing factor" suggests one of several reasons that collectively lead to an outcome.