caused directly by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caused directly by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a direct cause-and-effect relationship in various contexts, such as scientific, legal, or analytical discussions. Example: "The damage to the building was caused directly by the severe storm that hit the area last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asthma is not, they think, caused directly by environmental factors.

The Economist

Police departments across the region did not report any other deaths caused directly by the cold.

The New York Times

"The problem is not one caused directly by domestic cats," he adds.

The Guardian

It counted 51 people whose deaths it believed were caused directly by landslides and flooding.

The New York Times

The alternative is a nursing shortage, caused directly by government cuts and strategic failure, turning into another perfect Brexit storm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike many families splintered by the long-running violence in Darfur, the Adam family's separation was not caused directly by the conflict, but by United States immigration law.

The New York Times

These results are presumably due to large polymer chain thickness caused directly by substituents on phenyl rings of styrene units.

Polymer

Describing the dynamic effects caused directly by the mutation through a computational model yielded a novel mechanism of seizure susceptibility for this epilepsy patient, consistent with his phenotype.

Nature

The difficulty in determining whether a heart attack or stroke has been caused directly by overwork makes it almost impossible to keep accurate karoshi figures.

The Guardian - Money

Approximately 225,000 deaths per year (some estimates are much higher) are caused directly by medical "care" itself, such as unnecessary surgery and medication errors.

The New York Times

Most of the 300 deaths caused directly by the eruption were the result of roofs and buildings collapsing from the weight of wet ash.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caused directly by", ensure that the relationship between the cause and effect is clear and immediate, leaving no room for ambiguity. This strengthens the argument and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "caused directly by" when the relationship is indirect or involves multiple factors. Overstating the directness can weaken your argument if other influences are present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused directly by" functions as a causal connector, establishing a clear and immediate relationship between a cause and its effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for explicitly stating a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "caused directly by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a clear and immediate cause-and-effect relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's particularly common in scientific, news, and academic writing. To ensure clarity, use it only when the causation is indeed direct and unambiguous. Alternatives like "directly attributable to" and "a direct result of" can be used depending on the context. Avoiding overuse and ensuring accurate application strengthens written arguments and prevents misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directly attributable to

This alternative emphasizes attribution, highlighting the source or agent responsible for the effect, rather than the mechanism.

a direct result of

Focuses on the outcome as a consequence with particular emphasis on the result itself.

stemming directly from

This suggests origination or derivation from a specific source or event.

a direct consequence of

This alternative underlines the immediate and logical sequence of events.

resulting immediately from

Places emphasis on the temporal proximity between cause and effect.

immediately due to

Highlights the quick and nearly instantaneous connection between the cause and its effect.

occasioned directly by

Focuses on the event or factor that triggered the effect, giving it special prominence.

brought about directly by

This implies that something has been actively influenced to occur.

triggered directly by

This indicates that a specific event or condition initiated the subsequent effect.

produced directly by

This emphasizes the active creation or generation of the effect by the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "caused directly by" in a sentence?

Use "caused directly by" to clearly indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "The accident was "caused directly by" the driver's negligence."

What are some alternatives to saying "caused directly by"?

You can use alternatives like "directly attributable to", "a direct result of", or "stemming directly from" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify "directly" when describing a cause?

Specifying "directly" is important when you want to emphasize an immediate and unambiguous causal link. If the cause is indirect or influenced by other factors, it may be more accurate to omit "directly".

What is the difference between "caused by" and "caused directly by"?

"Caused by" indicates a general causal relationship, while "caused directly by" specifies a relationship with no intermediary factors. The latter emphasizes a more immediate and clear connection. For example, "The illness was caused by a virus" versus "The symptoms were "caused directly by" the virus's effect on the nervous system."