cause of the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"'cause of the problem" is not a grammatically correct part of a sentence in written English.
It is more commonly used in spoken English as a colloquial or shortened version of "because of the problem." Example (spoken): "I can't go to the party tonight 'cause of the problem with my car."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cause of the problem?

The New York Times

The cause of the problem is not yet known.

The Guardian

The exact cause of the problem has been hotly disputed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The root cause of the problem is press unaccountability.

The Guardian - Opinion

The paint manufacturer was the cause of the problem".

The New York Times

Honda said electrical interference was the cause of the problem.

The New York Times

"We need to identify the cause of the problem before we decide who pays for what".

The New York Times

There are two views on the main cause of the problem.

The New York Times

Yesterday, CNN said it was not certain of the cause of the problem.

The New York Times

"The patient feels better, but the underlying cause of the problem is still unaddressed".

The New York Times

And so it does sometimes rankle to see us criticised as the cause of the problem".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "'cause of the problem" is frequently used in spoken English, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "the reason for the problem" or "the source of the problem" in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using contractions like "'cause" in academic papers or professional reports. Always use the full form, such as "because", to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of the problem" functions as a noun phrase identifying the origin or reason behind an issue. As noted by Ludwig AI, the contracted form is grammatically incorrect in written English but common in speech. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts to pinpoint the source of difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause of the problem" is a commonly used noun phrase that pinpoints the origin of an issue. While prevalent across various sources, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, Ludwig AI points out that the contracted form, "'cause of the problem", is grammatically incorrect in formal writing. In such contexts, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "the reason for the problem" or "the source of the problem". This ensures grammatical correctness while maintaining clarity. Despite its frequent use, remember to adjust your language to suit the context, especially in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for the problem

Replaces "cause" with "reason", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

source of the problem

Substitutes "cause" with "source", shifting the focus slightly to the origin or starting point of the issue.

root cause of the issue

Adds "root" to emphasize the fundamental or underlying reason, and replaces "problem" with "issue".

underlying reason for the problem

Uses "underlying reason" to highlight a less obvious or deeper cause.

etiology of the problem

Employs the more formal term "etiology", suitable for scientific or medical contexts.

what's causing the problem

Transforms the phrase into a question format, inquiring about the cause.

the reason why the problem exists

Elaborates on the cause by explaining why the problem is present.

what led to the problem

Focuses on the sequence of events or factors that resulted in the problem.

primary driver of the problem

Highlights the main factor that is propelling or influencing the problem.

major contributing factor to the problem

Emphasizes that the cause is a significant element among potentially several factors.

FAQs

How can I use "cause of the problem" in a sentence correctly?

While "'cause of the problem" is often used colloquially, it's grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Instead, use alternatives like "the "reason for the problem"" or "the "source of the problem"".

What are some formal alternatives to "cause of the problem"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the "etiology of the problem"", "the underlying "reason for the problem"", or "the "root cause of the problem"".

Is it okay to use "'cause of the problem" in spoken English?

Yes, the contraction "'cause of the problem" is commonly used and understood in spoken English. However, it's generally not appropriate for formal written communication.

What's the difference between "'cause of the problem" and "because of the problem"?

"Cause of the problem" is a noun phrase referring to the reason something occurred, whereas "because of the problem" is a prepositional phrase explaining why something is happening or happened as a consequence. For example, "The main cause of the problem was neglect," versus "The project failed because of the problem with funding".