cause of the fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of the fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reason or origin of a fire incident. Example: "The investigation revealed that the cause of the fire was faulty wiring in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cause of the fire remained unclear.

The New York Times

(The cause of the fire remains undetermined).

The New York Times - Sports

The cause of the fire is unknown.

BBC

The cause of the fire was uncertain.

The New York Times

The cause of the fire is suspicious.

The Guardian

The cause of the fire was unclear.

The New York Times

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The Guardian

The cause of the fire is unclear.

The Guardian

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The New York Times

He would not comment on the cause of the fire.

The New York Times

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a fire incident, use "cause of the fire" to clearly and concisely convey the reason behind the fire's outbreak. Ensure that the identified cause is supported by evidence from investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "cause of the fire" when you actually mean the consequences or damage resulting from the fire. The "cause" is what started it, not what it did.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of the fire" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies the reason, origin, or source that initiated a fire event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause of the fire" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the reason or origin of a fire. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate between the "cause", which is the starting point, and the "consequences", which are the resulting damages. Alternatives include "origin of the fire" and "reason for the fire", but "cause of the fire" remains a direct and widely understood expression. Remember to ensure that any stated cause is backed by evidence, especially in formal reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Origin of the fire

Focuses on the starting point or source of the fire.

Reason for the fire

Emphasizes the rationale or explanation behind the fire's occurrence.

Source of the fire

Highlights the specific object or location from which the fire originated.

What started the fire

A more direct and conversational way to ask about the fire's beginning.

How the fire began

Focuses on the process or manner in which the fire commenced.

Inciting incident of the fire

Emphasizes the event that triggered the fire, often used in a more formal or investigative context.

Underlying cause of the fire

Highlights a less obvious or deeper reason that contributed to the fire.

The ignition source

Technical term referring to the initial energy that started the fire.

Circumstances of the fire's outbreak

Focuses on the surrounding conditions and events that led to the fire.

The 'why' behind the fire

Emphasizes the intention to reveal/clarify the reasons for the occurrence of the fire.

FAQs

How is "cause of the fire" used in a sentence?

It's used to describe the reason or origin of a fire. For example, "The investigation revealed that the "cause of the fire" was faulty wiring."

What are some alternatives to "cause of the fire"?

Depending on the context, you could use "origin of the fire", "reason for the fire", or "source of the fire".

Is it correct to say "the reason of the fire" instead of "cause of the fire"?

While understandable, "reason for the fire" is more common and grammatically preferred over "reason of the fire". "Cause of the fire" is also a standard and widely accepted phrase.

What's the difference between "cause of the fire" and "consequences of the fire"?

The "cause of the fire" is what initiated the fire, while the "consequences of the fire" are the results or damage that occurred because of it.