cause for relief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause for relief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reason or justification for feeling relieved about a situation or outcome. Example: "The successful completion of the project was a cause for relief among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That, at least, is cause for relief.

The Economist

But that is hardly cause for relief.

The Guardian

He had no cause for relief.

The New Yorker

"And that shouldn't necessarily be cause for relief.

The Guardian - Tech

Just after 8 a.m. came another cause for relief.

The New York Times

The first possibility is dismaying but the alternative is no cause for relief.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But their modesty is cause more for relief than regret.

The Economist

Buoyed by the recent victories in the Wanni, General Chandrasiri is confident the killings in Jaffna will stop once "the war is over".Yet for many Tamils in Jaffna, the Tigers' imminent defeat is cause less for relief than for foreboding.

The Economist

But realists in the Arab world see this possibility as cause not for relief but for alarm: If Islamists do lose power, they will likely be replaced not by Arab liberals, but by a more virulent strand of religious ideology.

Huffington Post

But for the moment, given its recent travails, Monday night was cause for enormous relief for NBC, if not quite celebration.

The New York Times

Agnew's resignation was, despite the honeyed words in the President's letter of acknowledgment, cause for manifest relief; the Pres.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause for relief", consider the degree of relief and choose appropriate intensifiers, such as "great cause for relief" or "considerable cause for relief", to accurately reflect the situation's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cause for relief" when the situation only warrants minor acknowledgment. Reserve it for scenarios where genuine alleviation of stress or concern is present to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause for relief" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or predicate nominative, identifying a reason or justification for experiencing relief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause for relief" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a reason for feeling relieved. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to highlight the alleviation of stress or worry in various situations. While versatile, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overstatement in minor situations. Consider alternatives like "reason for reassurance" for more formal contexts or to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for reassurance

Replaces 'relief' with 'reassurance', highlighting the feeling of confidence and certainty.

grounds for alleviation

Substitutes 'cause' with 'grounds' and 'relief' with 'alleviation', suggesting a lessening of distress.

basis for comfort

Replaces 'relief' with 'comfort', emphasizing a sense of ease and consolation.

source of reassurance

Changes 'cause' to 'source', directly indicating where the feeling of reassurance originates.

reason to be less worried

Rephrases the entire expression to convey a reduction in worry or anxiety.

justification for optimism

Replaces 'relief' with 'optimism', focusing on a hopeful outlook based on the situation.

pretext for calmness

Substitutes 'cause' with 'pretext' and 'relief' with 'calmness', implying a reason for tranquility.

excuse for easiness

Changes relief to 'easiness', focusing on lack of worry and a comfortable state.

a welcome sign

This alternative presents a situation is appreciated because eliminates a difficulty or because is a sign of improvement

sign of improvement

This alternative focuses in the progress a situation is experimenting

FAQs

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

You can use "cause for relief" to describe situations where a source of worry or stress has been removed or lessened. For example, "The news that the storm had weakened was a cause for relief."

What's a more formal alternative to "cause for relief"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "reason for reassurance" or "grounds for alleviation", which convey a similar meaning with heightened formality.

Is "cause for relief" interchangeable with "reason for relief"?

Yes, "cause for relief" and "reason for relief" are largely interchangeable. Both phrases indicate a justification for feeling relieved about a situation.

When is it inappropriate to use "cause for relief"?

Avoid using "cause for relief" in situations where the situation improvement is not significant or does not warrant a strong feeling of relief. It is best reserved for scenarios involving genuine easing of concern.