definite cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"definite cause" is correct and can be used in written English.
It implies a cause that is known or certain. For example: "The medical team was unable to identify a definite cause for the patient's symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Every event has a definite cause.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is never easy to find a definite cause.

The New York Times

Yesterday staff performed necropsies on the stingrays and failed to determine a definite cause of death.

The Guardian

Investigators suspect methane gas and coal dust, but have not established a definite cause.

The New York Times

If things go as planned, I should be able to determine a definite cause and even show it to you".

The New Yorker

Approximately one woman of reproductive age in 100 will experience recurrent pregnancy loss, and in no more than half of couples will a definite cause be established.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Definite causes of early and late deaths in the ICU are displayed in Fig. 3.

Annals of Intensive Care

Fig. 3 Definite causes of early (a, n = 78) and late (b, n = 124) deaths in the ICU.

Annals of Intensive Care

In the same way, the incidence of delayed ICU-acquired infectious and non-infectious complications and the definite causes of death could not be reliably estimated.

Annals of Intensive Care

Although a definite cause-and-effect relationship between HCV and diabetes has not been established, the successful eradication of HCV may result in an improvement of IR, particularly in individuals who achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) (5, 6).

Diabetes Care

Seventy seven percent of cases had definite causes identified; mainly polyps (31.8%) and colonic malignancies (18%).

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "definite cause", ensure the context clearly indicates that the cause is not speculative but rather established through evidence or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "definite cause" when only a correlation is observed. Ensure a causal link is firmly established before asserting a definite cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definite cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific, confirmed reason or origin for an event or phenomenon, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definite cause" is a common and grammatically sound term used to indicate a confirmed reason or origin, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to assert a confirmed reason with clarity and precision. While alternatives like "clear reason" or "established cause" exist, "definite cause" specifically highlights that the cause has been validated through evidence. It's important to avoid assuming causality without sufficient proof when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear reason

Emphasizes the clarity and understandability of the reason.

established cause

Highlights the fact that the cause has been proven or recognized.

known reason

Focuses on the fact that the reason is not a mystery.

certain explanation

Shifts the focus to providing a confident explanation.

identifiable reason

Highlights the capability to identify the reason.

specific factor

Indicates a particular contributing element.

conclusive factor

Signifies a factor that definitively resolves uncertainty.

proven origin

Emphasizes that the origin or source has been demonstrated.

ascertained reason

Suggests the reason has been determined after investigation.

determined factor

Implies that the factor has been officially decided or concluded.

FAQs

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

You can use "definite cause" to indicate a confirmed reason for a particular event or situation. For instance, "The investigation revealed a "definite cause" for the accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "definite cause"?

Alternatives include "clear reason", "established cause", or "known reason". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "definite cause" in academic writing?

Yes, "definite cause" is appropriate for academic writing, especially when discussing research findings or conclusions that are supported by evidence.

What is the difference between "probable cause" and "definite cause"?

"Probable cause" suggests a reasonable basis for suspicion, while "definite cause" indicates a confirmed and established reason. The former is often used in legal contexts, whereas the latter is used broadly across many fields.