cause behind

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause behind' is not a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase 'because of' instead. For example: She decided to take the job because of the excellent benefits package.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There may not be a single cause behind that decline.

The New York Times

In most cases, the cause behind the pain remains unclear.

The Washington Post

Damming-induced fragmentation of river basins is the major cause behind higher homogenization of flow regimes.

Journal of Hydrology

The major cause behind this complication is biomechanical mismatch between the vein and coronary artery.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

Sure, it's a smart marketing campaign, but there's also an admirable social cause behind it.

Independent

Theories abound regarding the cause behind this year's surge, but full explanations perish with victims.

The New York Times

The cause behind them now is not her capture and freedom but her recovery.

The New York Times

He said it was difficult to pinpoint the cause behind the legionnaires' cluster.

The Guardian

Neither is there the evidence to suggest a single cause behind these trends.

The Guardian

But it pays to go a little further, to look for the cause behind the causes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Deposing Wajid was one cause behind the Sepoy Rebellion in 1857.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "cause behind" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language, like 'the reason for', or 'the cause of'.

Common error

Using "cause behind" can be redundant as "cause" inherently implies something that is behind an effect. Opt for simply "cause of" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause behind" functions as a prepositional phrase that attempts to identify the origin or reason for an event or situation. However, its grammatical correctness is debated. Ludwig AI marks the expression as not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause behind" is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, to explain the origin of events. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI identifies the expression as grammatically incorrect. Therefore, while the phrase is widely understood, it's advisable to opt for alternatives such as "reason for" or "source of" in formal writing to enhance clarity and precision. Using more precise language makes your writing more polished and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for

Focuses on the justification or explanation for something.

explanation for

Highlights the clarification or interpretation of why something happened.

the reason why

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship.

the source of

Indicates the origin or starting point of something.

origins of

Explores the historical or developmental roots of an event.

root of

Suggests a fundamental or underlying cause.

basis for

Highlights the foundation or support for something.

motivation for

Focuses on the driving force or incentive behind an action.

the purpose of

Emphasizes the intended goal or aim.

the why behind

Directly asks for the reasons or motivations.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "cause behind"?

You can use alternatives like "reason for", "source of", or "the reason why" depending on the context.

Is "cause behind" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "cause behind" is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "cause of" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

How can I make my writing sound more professional than using "cause behind"?

Using more precise language such as "the reason for", "the origins of", or "the basis for" can make your writing more polished and professional.

Is there a difference between "cause of" and "cause behind"?

While similar in meaning, "cause of" is generally preferred and more grammatically sound. "Cause behind" can sound redundant and is often replaced with more direct phrasing.