cause of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of which" is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to combine ideas when referring to a cause that has already been mentioned, specifically when the cause is not stated in full. For example: "He experienced anxiety due to extreme stress, the cause of which was his recent job promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was an unusual intoxication, the cause of which I couldn't quite make out.

The New Yorker

It is principally involved with sudden death, the cause of which is not clearly evident.

Britannica

Fetuses of diabetic pregnancy experience cardiomyopathy, the intracardiac cause of which is understood poorly.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

It is a common condition, the cause of which may be difficult to find.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet recent years have brought improvements, one cause of which has been the conducting.

The New York Times - Arts

Retired in 1988 because of chronic fatigue and depression, the cause of which had been misdiagnosed by my doctor.

Stanford University

No one else was injured in the fire, the cause of which is under investigation, he added.

The New York Times

She was taken to hospital with serious burns after yesterday morning's blast, the cause of which is unknown.

The Times

Fire investigators have also identified a possible second origin of the Camp fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.

The Guardian

Singletons born after IVF treatment are at risk for adverse pregnancy outcome, the cause of which is unknown.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Deforestation, the clearing or thinning of forests, the cause of which is normally implied to be human activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause of which" to smoothly connect a description of an event or situation with its underlying cause, especially when the cause requires further elaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "cause of which" in simple sentences where a direct causal conjunction like "because" or "since" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

Relative clause introducer. The phrase "cause of which" functions as a relative clause introducer, linking a main clause to a subordinate clause that specifies the cause or reason for something previously mentioned. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause of which" serves as a relative clause introducer, linking events or situations to their reasons. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in formal writing contexts. While common, it's important to avoid overuse in simple sentences where more direct causal conjunctions would suffice. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides numerous examples across diverse domains, including news, science, encyclopedias, and academia, demonstrating its broad applicability. Remember that choosing more straightforward expressions like "because" or "due to" may improve clarity in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for which

Replaces "cause" with "reason", slightly altering the nuance to focus on justification rather than origin.

basis for which

Substitutes "cause" with "basis", emphasizing the underlying foundation or support for something.

grounds for which

Similar to "basis for which", this highlights the justification or rationale behind a particular action or event.

the reason why

A more direct and common way to express causality, omitting the relative pronoun "which".

the source of which

Focuses on the origin or starting point of something, rather than the broader cause.

the origin of which

Similar to "the source of which", this emphasizes the beginning or genesis of something.

the determinant of which

Highlights the factor that decisively affects or determines an outcome.

the impetus for which

Emphasizes the driving force or motivation behind an action or event.

attributable to

Offers a more concise way to indicate causality, attributing something directly to a specific factor.

due to which

Suggests a more direct causality, with less emphasis on a previously mentioned subject.

FAQs

How can I use "cause of which" in a sentence?

Use "cause of which" to link a situation or event to its underlying reason, especially when the cause is complex or requires further explanation. For example, "The company faced a significant financial loss, the "cause of which" was a combination of declining sales and increased operating costs."

What are some alternatives to "cause of which"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "reason for which", "because of this", or "due to this" to express causality in a sentence.

Is "cause of which" formal or informal?

"Cause of which" tends to be more formal and is often found in academic or professional writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "because" or "since" are typically preferred.

When should I avoid using "cause of which"?

Avoid using "cause of which" in simple sentences where a more direct conjunction would suffice, or when the sentence becomes overly complex and difficult to understand. Clarity should always be prioritized.