causal link between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causal link between" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the relationship or connection between two events or factors where one is believed to influence or cause the other. For example, "Researchers are investigating the causal link between stress and heart disease." Alternative expressions include "causal relationship" and "cause-and-effect connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is a causal link between funding and educational opportunity".

The New York Times

There was, he said, a direct "causal link" between the movie and the murders.

The Guardian

Mr. Reich was accused of drawing a "causal link" between Wagner and the Third Reich.

The New York Times - Arts

Second, the causal link between choices and outcomes needs exploring, ideally through trials and collecting evidence.

The Guardian

The causal link between Tibbets' mission and Hirohito's announcement remained a hotly debated issue.

The Guardian

The causal link between obesity and inflammation is well established.

Cytokine

A causal link between the two is not proven.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

The causal link between hard graft and success was common knowledge during Streatfeild's time.

The Guardian - Books

● Current evidence suggests a probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness and cannabis use.

The Guardian - Opinion

He sees no causal link between the referendum and the dramatic spike in hate crimes?

The Guardian

Evaluations and prescriptions might differ, but a causal link between diet and character was generally accepted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "causal link between", ensure that evidence supports the causal relationship, distinguishing it from mere correlation.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "causal link between" two variables simply because they occur together. Investigate further to confirm that one directly influences the other, rather than being influenced by a third variable or occurring randomly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causal link between" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a cause-and-effect relationship between two distinct elements. The Ludwig AI analysis of various contexts confirms that it establishes a connection where one element directly influences the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causal link between" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. According to the Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples, it is primarily employed in scientific, news, and academic contexts to explore and assert direct influences between different factors. While "causal link between" is a very common expression that effectively communicates direct causation, it is crucial to use it accurately, ensuring that sufficient evidence supports the relationship to avoid confusing correlation with actual causation. Alternatives such as "causal relationship between" can be used depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causal relationship between

Replaces "link" with "relationship", emphasizing a formal or scientific connection.

cause-and-effect relationship between

More explicitly states the nature of the connection, highlighting the cause-and-effect dynamic.

correlation between

Indicates a statistical association, which may or may not imply causation. It shifts the focus from direct causation to a general relationship.

connection between

A more general term indicating an association without specifying causality. This alternative broadens the relationship beyond direct causation.

association between

Similar to "connection", but often used in statistical contexts to describe a non-causal relationship.

interrelation between

Highlights the mutual influence or dependence between two or more things.

tie between

Implies a strong connection, though not necessarily causal. It simplifies the expression while retaining a sense of strong association.

relationship of dependency between

Emphasizes that one thing relies on or is contingent on the other. Focuses on the reliant aspect of the relationship.

impact of one on the other

Highlights the effect that one factor has on another. This alternative emphasizes the directional influence.

influence of one on the other

Similar to "impact", but may suggest a weaker or less direct effect. It softens the direct cause-and-effect implication.

FAQs

How to use "causal link between" in a sentence?

Use "causal link between" to connect two elements where one demonstrably influences or causes the other, such as, "Researchers are investigating the "causal link between" diet and heart disease".

What can I say instead of "causal link between"?

You can use alternatives like "causal relationship between", "cause-and-effect relationship between", or "correlation between" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "causal link between" or "causal relationship between"?

Both "causal link between" and "causal relationship between" are correct and can be used interchangeably, although "causal relationship between" is often preferred in more formal or scientific contexts.

What's the difference between "causal link between" and "correlation between"?

"Causal link between" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while "correlation between" simply indicates a statistical association that may not involve causation. A correlation can exist without a causal link.