chief cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief cause" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main reason or factor that caused something to happen. Example: The chief cause of the company's financial troubles was poor management decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The chief cause is Nigeria's inability to process its crude.

The Economist

While water conflicts are not the chief cause of tension in the area, they make achieving peace more difficult.

Technology in Society

Movement of cells out of primary tumors is the chief cause of mortality in cancer.

Yale University

This appears to have been the chief cause of the Roman loss.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The chief cause of the bigger trade gap was rising prices on oil imports.

The New York Times

The chief cause of uremia is damage to the kidneys, which has a variety of causes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chief cause of the problem in Qatar is consanguineous marriages, experts here said.

The New York Times

This parasite is the chief cause of malaria in humans outside Africa.

The Economist

A triple bogey on the par three 15th was the chief cause of his concern.

The Guardian - Sport

This discrimination is widely accepted … by official assessments, as a chief cause of agitation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only a Few Women Among the 3,500 Who Have Lost Licenses -- Liquor the Chief Cause.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief cause", ensure that the context clearly supports that it is, in fact, the most significant reason. Avoid using it casually when other factors also play a substantial role.

Common error

Avoid using "chief cause" if there are multiple significant contributing factors. Using "a major factor" or "one of the primary causes" might be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief cause" functions as a noun phrase identifying the primary reason or factor responsible for a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to highlight the most significant cause among potentially numerous contributing factors. Its usage aims to pinpoint the dominant reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that identifies the primary reason behind a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific writing, reflecting a neutral and authoritative tone. When using "chief cause", it's important to ensure that the identified factor is indeed the most significant. If other causes are also substantial, consider using alternatives like "primary reason" or "major contributing factor" to avoid overstating the role of a single cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

Focuses on the reason, omitting the emphasis on it being the most important.

primary reason

Replaces "chief" with "primary", maintaining similar emphasis on importance.

principal cause

Uses "principal" instead of "chief", a formal synonym.

major contributing factor

Breaks down the cause into a "factor" that significantly contributes.

root cause

Emphasizes the fundamental, underlying cause.

underlying reason

Highlights the reason existing beneath the surface.

driving force

Implies an active force pushing towards a certain outcome.

key factor

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the "factor" that is most important.

primary driver

Emphasizes what is propelling or pushing something to happen.

mainspring

Metaphorically refers to the fundamental motivator or cause.

FAQs

How can I use "chief cause" in a sentence?

You can use "chief cause" to indicate the primary reason for something. For example: "The "chief cause" of the company's failure was mismanagement."

What is a synonym for "chief cause"?

Synonyms for "chief cause" include "primary reason", "principal cause", or "main reason". These all emphasize the most important factor.

Is it appropriate to use "chief cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "chief cause" is appropriate for formal writing. It is often found in academic, scientific, and news articles where a clear and authoritative tone is required.

What's the difference between "chief cause" and "a cause"?

"Chief cause" indicates the most significant factor, while "a cause" simply refers to one of many contributing factors. If something is labelled as "chief", it is being presented as the most important. Using "a cause" suggests it's just one of several.