causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that lead to a particular effect or outcome. Example: "The study identified several environmental factors that causes significant changes in wildlife behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the aggressive attempt to export liberal permissiveness that causes fundamentalism to fight back vehemently and assert itself.

The Guardian

The work that Snow, who was born 200 years ago last Friday, undertook to prove his case remains a classic of medical detection and reveals Snow as one of the founders of epidemiology, a science that has since helped unravel the causes of a host of illnesses and saved countless lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mulligan, 29, is not one to campaign explicitly for causes, and told the Guardian last year that she was "not particularly interested in politics".

The Guardian - Film

In examining changes in the activity of the sun and volcanoes, Trenberth and Fasullo estimated that they can account for no more than a 20 percent reduction in the Earth's energy imbalance, which is what causes global warming.

The Guardian

Harmful consumption of alcohol rose from eighth to fifth leading cause of death and disability, worldwide, between 1990 and 2010 and the OECD says that that four in five drinkers would reduce their risk of death from any causes if they cut their alcohol intake by one unit a week.

The Guardian

This uncertainty and the stress it causes affects our ability to offer quality care.

The Guardian

Around 70% of hen harriers die of natural causes in their first year and of Murphy's 47 tracked birds, 37 disappeared without a trace.

The Guardian

Yet, unluckily for all of us, he still seems more concerned with tax cuts and defending his allies in the City rather than protecting Londoners by dealing with the root causes of the malaise facing London's economy.

The Guardian

Her research on terrorism and its causes culminated in her acclaimed 2006 book What Terrorists Want, described by the New York Times as an "essential primer on terrorism and how to tackle it".

The Guardian

Paracetamol is also the drug of choice for intentional overdose, which is extra tragic as it is good at killing you – it causes the death from liver failure of between 90 and 150 people a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Charles Koch is the billionaire co-owner of Koch Industries, an oil refining and chemicals group, and is a major donor to Republicans causes and politicians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "causes" to clearly indicate a direct relationship between events. For example, "stress causes anxiety".

Common error

While "causes" is a versatile term, avoid overusing it in overly simplistic sentences where more descriptive verbs like "leads to" or "results in" might provide greater nuance. Consider the impact and desired tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "causes" primarily functions as a verb (third-person singular present) or a noun (plural). As a verb, it indicates that something brings about a result or effect. As a noun, it refers to the reasons or origins of something. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "causes" is a highly versatile word used to denote the reasons or origins behind particular phenomena. As highlighted by Ludwig, "causes" functions primarily as a verb or a noun, used to establish causal links or refer to underlying factors. The usage examples confirm its prevalence across diverse domains, particularly in news, science, and formal communication. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of avoiding overuse in simplistic contexts. Overall, understanding "causes" and its alternatives enhances precision and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasons for

Focuses on the rationale or justification behind something, rather than the direct instigation.

origins of

Emphasizes the beginning or source from which something arises.

factors contributing to

Highlights multiple elements that collectively lead to a particular outcome.

sources of

Identifies the origin or where something comes from.

drivers of

Suggests a propelling force or influence behind an event or trend.

underlying factors in

Points to less obvious, fundamental elements that influence a situation.

etiology of

Primarily used in medical or scientific contexts to refer to the study of the causes or origins of diseases or conditions.

roots of

Implies a deep, fundamental origin or basis for something.

instigators of

Focuses on those who initiate or provoke an event or action.

determinants of

Highlights the factors that decisively affect or determine an outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "causes" in a sentence?

Use "causes" to indicate what brings about a certain result. For example, "Smoking causes lung cancer."

What are some alternatives to the word "causes"?

You can use alternatives like "leads to", "results in", or "brings about" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "factor that causes" or "factor that cause"?

The correct phrase is "factor that causes". Since "factor" is singular, it requires the singular verb form "causes".

What's the difference between "causes" and "reasons"?

"Causes" refer to the direct instigators or producers of an effect, while "reasons" refer to the explanations or justifications for an action or event. "Causes" explain how something happened, while "reasons" explain why.