caused a fatality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caused a fatality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing incidents or events that resulted in someone's death. Example: "The car accident on the highway caused a fatality, leading to an investigation by local authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mrs. Howard, the wife of Ron Howard, director of public relations for the Eagles, was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that caused a fatality and other violations, Sergeant Della Fave said.

The New York Times

Now that the bouncer - used to intimidate for so long - has caused a fatality, might fast bowlers think twice before targeting the head of an opposing batsman?

BBC

Further northeast, the tornado passed just south of Boonville and caused a fatality in a vehicle.

Wikipedia

Overall, Anna caused a fatality and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD), primarily in Central America.

Wikipedia

In Central and South Florida, damage was primarily caused by tornadoes, one of which caused a fatality.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No penalty existed for causing a fatality unless it was the result of a foul.

The New Yorker

You can have accidents and ultimately it can cause a fatality.

The Guardian - Sport

The new law, which took effect in May, penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone.

The New York Times - Tech

At last week's Senate hearing, he said that when an S.U.V. strikes a car from the side, it is three times more likely to cause a fatality than another car.

The New York Times

"We have seen that the low-level neglect or lack of thought given to a procedure that leads to a cold injury can, with different equipment or in different circumstances, cause a fatality on a shooting range or in a vehicle store," Ms Tuckman said.

Independent

Police officers in Cheshire have spoken to a number of outlets known to supply Vortex and advised them to remove it from their shelves, while Assistant Chief Constable Roberts said the force would "not rule out" pushing for manslaughter charges if a shop sold a chemical that went to cause a fatality.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "caused a fatality", ensure that the context clearly establishes the causal relationship between the event and the death. Providing specific details enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "caused a fatality" when the evidence for direct causation is weak or circumstantial. Instead, use softer language like "contributed to" or "may have influenced" to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused a fatality" primarily functions as a declarative statement asserting that an action or event resulted in someone's death. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caused a fatality" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something resulted in a person's death. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples reflect its use across various contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedic entries and scientific articles. While "caused a fatality" is a clear and direct way to convey information, alternatives like "resulted in a death" or "led to a death" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis. It's essential to ensure a strong causal link when using this phrase and to avoid overstating causation without sufficient evidence. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it widely applicable across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resulted in a death

Replaces "caused a fatality" with a more general term for death.

led to a death

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events leading to a death.

brought about a death

More formal and emphasizes direct causation.

was the reason for a death

Highlights the causal relationship more explicitly.

precipitated a death

Implies hastening or accelerating the occurrence of death.

contributed to a death

Suggests the action was a factor in the death, but not necessarily the sole cause.

proved fatal

Focuses on the deadliness of the action or event.

claimed a life

Emphasizes the loss of life as a result of the action.

inflicted a mortal wound

Describes the causing event as inflicting a fatal injury.

occasioned a loss of life

Formal phrasing emphasizing the event resulted in someone's death.

FAQs

How is "caused a fatality" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "caused a fatality" is used to establish liability or culpability in cases where an action or negligence directly resulted in someone's death. The legal definition often requires proving a direct causal link between the action and the resulting death, such as in manslaughter or wrongful death cases.

What are some alternatives to "caused a fatality" that imply less direct causation?

If you want to imply less direct causation, consider using phrases like "contributed to a death", "played a role in a death", or "was a factor in a death". These phrases suggest involvement without asserting sole responsibility.

Which is more formal, "caused a fatality" or "resulted in a death"?

"Resulted in a death" is generally considered more formal than "caused a fatality". While both phrases are acceptable, "resulted in a death" often appears in legal documents and official reports due to its more detached and objective tone.

In what kind of reporting is the phrase "caused a fatality" typically used?

The phrase "caused a fatality" is commonly used in news reporting, accident reports, and official statements when describing incidents that have led to someone's death, such as car accidents, natural disasters, or industrial accidents. It is used to clearly and directly state the consequence of an event.