determined the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determined the cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the identification or analysis of a reason behind an event or situation. Example: "The investigators determined the cause of the fire after examining the evidence at the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Authorities have not determined the cause.

The Guardian

Investigators have not determined the cause of either blaze.

The New York Times

Authorities have not determined the cause of either California fire.

The Guardian

"We haven't determined the cause of the fire yet".

The New York Times

"We haven't determined the cause at this point," he said.

The New York Times

The authorities have not determined the cause of the collapse.

The New York Times

Investigators had not determined the cause of the accident or how fast Trooper Zimmerman was traveling.

The New York Times

The medical examiner had not yet determined the cause or date of death.

The New York Times

"We have not determined the cause of the collapse," said Ilyse Fink, a department spokeswoman.

The New York Times

Lieutenant Glenn said that an autopsy completed yesterday determined the cause of death as accidental strangulation.

The New York Times

Doctors have not yet determined the cause of Jerkens's illness, his wife said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determined the cause", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what entity conducted the determination (e.g., "Investigators determined the cause of the fire.").

Common error

Avoid using "determined the cause" when the cause is still uncertain or speculative. Instead, use phrases like "suspected cause" or "potential contributing factors" if the cause hasn't been definitively established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determined the cause" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that an investigation or analysis has successfully identified the reason for a particular event or situation. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "determined the cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that the reason behind an event or situation has been definitively identified. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media, followed by science and formal business contexts. While primarily neutral in register, it maintains clarity and precision across different audiences. Remember to attribute the determination to the correct entity and avoid using the phrase when the cause remains speculative. With a wide range of alternative phrases available, you can tailor your language to fit the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identified the reason

Focuses on the act of pinpointing the 'reason' rather than the broader 'cause'.

ascertained the origin

Emphasizes discovering the 'origin' or starting point of something.

established the source

Highlights the 'source' as the point from which something originates.

figured out the reason

Uses a more informal tone with "figured out" replacing "determined".

uncovered the basis

Suggests a process of revealing a hidden 'basis' or foundation.

discovered the explanation

Focuses on finding an 'explanation' for an event or situation.

traced back to the source

Highlights the process of following a path back to the 'source'.

investigated the origins

Emphasizes a thorough inquiry into the 'origins' of something.

analyzed the factors

Concentrates on breaking down and examining the contributing 'factors'.

found the underlying reason

Stresses the discovery of a 'underlying reason', often not immediately apparent.

FAQs

How is "determined the cause" used in a sentence?

The phrase "determined the cause" is used to indicate that an investigation or analysis has successfully identified the reason or origin of an event or situation. For example, "The fire investigators "determined the cause" of the explosion was a gas leak".

What are some alternatives to "determined the cause"?

Alternatives to "determined the cause" include phrases like "identified the reason", "ascertained the origin", or "established the source", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "determine the cause" instead of "determined the cause"?

The phrase "determine the cause" is used when referring to the act of finding the cause in the future or as a general inquiry. "Determined the cause" indicates that the cause has already been found. For example, "We need to determine the cause of the problem" versus "The investigation determined the cause of the accident".

What's the difference between "suspected the cause" and "determined the cause"?

"Suspected the cause" implies a belief or hypothesis about the cause without definitive proof. In contrast, "determined the cause" indicates that the cause has been definitively identified through investigation or analysis.