brief cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief cause for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a short or concise reason for something. Example: "There was a brief cause for concern when the lights flickered during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sunderland had started quite well with Wahbi Khazri – a disappointment so far this season but integral to the avoidance of relegation last spring – offering brief cause for optimism.

The Guardian - Sport

There had, as Nottinghamshire picked up Warwickshire's final two first-innings wickets, been brief cause for alarm for England, as Jake Ball – who is in line to make a Test debut against Pakistan at Lord's with James Anderson suffering from a shoulder injury that looks increasingly likely to sideline him – did not take the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The brief, a major new cause for the N.R.A., was not signed by Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Senior JPMorgan executives assured the bank's watchdogs after the financial crisis that the chief investment office, with hundreds of billions in investments, was not taking risks that would be a cause for concern, people briefed on the matter said.

The New York Times

When Kushner was briefed by the F.B.I., he saw little cause for alarm, according to a person close to Kushner.

The New Yorker

Sometimes Texas was an actual party to the cases Cruz argued, and sometimes he simply volunteered to write friend-of-the-court briefs for causes that he and Abbott supported.

The New Yorker

She had two unsupervised visits earlier this month, and she returned the children on time without cause for alarm, according to a person briefed on the case.

The New York Times

By Anthony Lane It seems impossibly distant, but there was a time, however brief, when a Madonna movie was something to be savored, rather than a cause for alarm.

The New Yorker

It seems impossibly distant, but there was a time, however brief, when a Madonna movie was something to be savored, rather than a cause for alarm.

The New Yorker

Intelligence officials briefing the cabinet suggested that violent unrest in Syria was a primary cause for a shift by Hamas.

The Economist

A cause for tears?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief cause for", ensure the context clearly indicates why the reason is short-lived or limited. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "brief cause for" when the actual reason is substantial or long-lasting. Using it in such contexts can mislead the reader and weaken the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief cause for" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "cause for alarm"). Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in indicating a limited or short-lived reason.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief cause for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to indicate a short-lived or limited reason for something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase and is employed to frame situations as not being of significant or long-term concern. While not extremely frequent, its usage across various sources, particularly news and media, demonstrates its relevance. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the temporary or minor nature of the reason to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short reason for

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the concise nature of the reason.

concise explanation for

Substitutes "cause" with "explanation", focusing on providing a clear and succinct rationale.

temporary reason for

Replaces "brief" with "temporary", directly stating the limited duration.

limited justification for

Uses "justification" instead of "cause", highlighting the act of providing reasons, and "limited" instead of "brief".

fleeting grounds for

Replaces "brief" with "fleeting", emphasizing the temporary nature, and "cause" with "grounds", indicating the basis or foundation.

momentary basis for

Emphasizes the temporary aspect using "momentary" and replaces "cause" with "basis", indicating the foundation.

slight pretext for

Replaces "cause" with "pretext", which suggests a reason that may not be entirely genuine, and "brief" with "slight", minimizing the importance.

small rationale for

Uses "rationale" instead of "cause", highlighting the logical reason, and "small" instead of "brief".

passing motive for

Replaces "brief" with "passing", highlighting the temporary nature, and "cause" with "motive", focusing on the underlying reason.

short-lived incentive for

Substitutes "cause" with "incentive", focusing on motivation, and "brief" with "short-lived", highlighting the temporary nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief cause for" to indicate a short or temporary reason for a particular feeling or action. For example: "The flickering lights gave a "brief cause for" alarm".

What are some alternatives to saying "brief cause for"?

Some alternatives to "brief cause for" include "short reason for", "concise explanation for", or "temporary reason for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "brief cause for" formal or informal?

"Brief cause for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "brief cause for" and "major cause for"?

"Brief cause for" indicates a reason that is short-lived or of limited significance, while "major cause for" implies a substantial and important reason.