conceivable cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conceivable cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential reasons or explanations that can be imagined or thought of in a given context. Example: "The researchers explored every conceivable cause for the sudden increase in temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They launch a study that considers every conceivable cause, but cannot come up with an answer because of limitations in their study design.

Breast Cancer Research

By ruling out each of the three alternative possibilities, we are confident to conclude that pollination by O. biennis is the major, if not the only, conceivable cause for the genetic and epigenetic variations in the mutator-phenotype and its sefled progenies.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To what extent can capacity mechanisms adequately address the various conceivable causes of possible capacity constraints?

Energy, Sustainability and Society

On the question of conceivable causes of suicide, there was general agreement that mental illness was most important and biological factors were less than moderately important causes of suicide.

BMC Psychiatry

If the conclusory allegations of a presumptively reliable police officer are insufficient to establish probable cause, there is no conceivable reason why the conclusory allegations of an anonymous informant should not be insufficient as well.

Cornell University

It argued that his handcuffing constituted an illegal arrest, given that there was no conceivable probable cause that he had committed or was about to commit a crime.

The New York Times

Eventually, the mutation will be conceivable to cause loss of the Mstn function in fugu Mstn mutant.

BMC Genomics

Weight gain might be another conceivable mechanism causing increased prevalence of snoring during pregnancy; this has also been reported in a previous survey [ 11].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

There are several conceivable biological causes of correlations between gene expression signals such as regulatory processes engaged in gene function, composite cellular make-up of tissues, and latent heterogeneity of subjects.

Biology Direct

The second conceivable copycat contract cause: compensation consultation commonality.

Forbes

Given the possibility that the population of mast cell secretory granules may be heterogeneous [41],, it is conceivable that polyamines cause distinctive effects on different subsets of granules.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conceivable cause", ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a possible, though not necessarily proven, reason for something. Consider stronger alternatives like "likely cause" if evidence supports a more definitive claim.

Common error

Avoid using "conceivable cause" when the evidence strongly suggests a definitive cause. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or speculation, which may weaken your argument if a more concrete explanation is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceivable cause" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "conceivable" modifies the noun "cause". It suggests a potential reason or explanation that can be imagined or thought of. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceivable cause" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a potential or imaginable reason. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. It frequently appears in scientific and journalistic contexts. For greater impact, consider alternatives such as "possible reason" or "potential explanation". When writing, avoid using the phrase when a more definitive cause is known, as it implies a level of uncertainty. Remember to contextualize the "conceivable cause" within your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible reason

Replaces "conceivable" with "possible", indicating a reason that could exist or occur.

potential explanation

Substitutes both words, suggesting an explanation that is capable of developing into a reality.

imaginable origin

Uses "imaginable" instead of "conceivable", emphasizing that the origin can be pictured or thought of.

imaginable reason

Focuses on a reason that can be imagined or conceived.

thinkable cause

Employs "thinkable" to convey that the cause is capable of being thought of or considered.

plausible explanation

Replaces "conceivable" with "plausible", suggesting an explanation that is believable or likely.

credible reason

Uses "credible" to indicate that the reason is believable and trustworthy.

hypothetical cause

Replaces "conceivable" with "hypothetical", suggesting a cause that is assumed for the sake of argument or investigation.

speculative reason

Employs "speculative" to convey that the reason is based on conjecture or uncertain evidence.

theoretical explanation

Uses "theoretical" to suggest that the explanation is based on abstract principles rather than concrete evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "conceivable cause" to refer to a potential reason or explanation for a particular situation or event. For instance, "Researchers investigated every "possible reason" to explain the sudden decline in the bird population."

What are some alternatives to "conceivable cause"?

Alternatives to "conceivable cause" include phrases like "potential explanation", "plausible reason", or "imaginable origin", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "conceivable cause" formal or informal?

"Conceivable cause" is generally suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as demonstrated by its use in scientific publications and news articles. However, in very informal settings, simpler terms like "possible cause" might be preferred.

When should I not use "conceivable cause"?

Avoid using "conceivable cause" if you have strong evidence pointing to a specific, definite cause. In such cases, a more direct phrase like "the "main reason"" or "primary factor" would be more appropriate.