due to a microbe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "due to a microbe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the cause of an effect or condition that is related to a microbe, such as in scientific or medical contexts. Example: "The outbreak of the disease was traced back to a microbe that contaminated the water supply."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Such an idea seemed reasonable in 1896, when Scientific American published an article titled "Is Insanity Due to a Microbe?" But then a Freudian miasma descended upon American psychiatry, and for much of the 20th century bad mothers were blamed for almost everything, including schizophrenia.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Furthermore, western blot analysis was carried out on plasma purified from wild-type or germ-free C57BL/6 mice to determine whether or not the presence of DING proteins in rodent was due to a symbiotic or contaminating microbe.

Plosone

The products formed during acetogenesis are due to a number of different microbes, for example, syntrophobacter wolinii, a propionate decomposer and sytrophomonos wolfei, a butyrate decomposer.

BioMed Research International

Soil sterilization experiments showed a higher biomass increase in sterile soils (Fig. 1), which could be explained by addressing the effect of microbial activity (due to a lower activity of microbes on sterile and non-enriched soils) on biomass accumulation and nitrogen availability (Fig. 2).

AoB PLANTS

While, perhaps confusingly, homes that are too clean have been linked to an increase in allergies and asthma in children, potentially due to a lack of exposure to various microbes, the presence of toxic chemicals in dust raises separate concerns.

The Guardian

The termite gut, by contrast, has a unique composition of microbes, most likely due to a much higher pH environment [ 42].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

It can be seen that selective targeting of pathogenic microbes is largely due to a balance between electronegativity and hydrophobicity of the antimicrobial peptides [ 9].

BioMed Research International

Researchers warn that this vast ecosystem -- our so-called microbiome -- has become endangered, due to an excessive use of microbe-killing antibiotics and toxic chemicals.

Huffington Post

Delayed killing of microbes has been observed in iDC [15] and this may be due to a need to preserve antigens for presentation.

Plosone

Effective plant defense may be due to an ability of the host plant to modulate the composition of root exudates, attracting microbes which can trigger plant resistance.

BMC Plant Biology

A positive PCR but a negative BC can occur due to fastidious microbes, sub-optimal culture conditions or antibiotic treatment before sampling.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "due to a microbe", ensure that the microbe is the direct and primary cause of the effect you're describing. Avoid using it when the relationship is indirect or speculative.

Common error

Avoid attributing complex phenomena solely to "a microbe" without sufficient evidence. Many biological processes involve multiple factors, and oversimplifying the cause can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "due to a microbe" functions as a causal prepositional phrase, indicating that a particular condition, effect, or outcome is a direct result of the presence or activity of a microbe. Ludwig confirms its usage in scientific and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "due to a microbe" serves as a causal connector, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts to establish a direct relationship between a microbe and an outcome. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency is relatively rare, mostly present in science and news media. It's important to ensure the microbe is indeed the direct cause, avoiding oversimplification of complex phenomena. Ludwig also offers several alternative phrases, such as "caused by a microbe" or "resulting from a microbe", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused by a microbe

Directly states the cause as a microbe, simpler wording.

because of a microbe

A more common and direct way to express the cause.

resulting from a microbe

Emphasizes the outcome as a result of the microbe.

attributable to a microbe

More formal, suggesting the microbe is the reason for something.

stemming from a microbe

Suggests the microbe is the origin or source.

arising from a microbe

Indicates that the issue originates from the microbe.

on account of a microbe

A more formal alternative to "due to".

owing to a microbe

Similar to "due to", but slightly more formal.

triggered by a microbe

Emphasizes that the microbe initiated a process or event.

as a consequence of a microbe

Highlights the consequence of the microbe's action.

FAQs

How can I use "due to a microbe" in a sentence?

Use "due to a microbe" to explain that a particular effect or condition is directly caused by a microbe. For example, "The infection was "caused by a microbe"."

What are some alternatives to "due to a microbe"?

Alternatives include "caused by a microbe", "resulting from a microbe", or "attributable to a microbe", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it always accurate to attribute an effect solely "due to a microbe"?

No, it's crucial to recognize that many biological effects are multifactorial. Attributing something solely "due to a microbe" may be an oversimplification if other factors are involved. Instead, consider if "resulting from multiple factors" would be more precise.

What's the difference between "due to a microbe" and "associated with a microbe"?

"Due to a microbe" implies a direct causal relationship, whereas "associated with a microbe" only indicates a correlation. Use "due to a microbe" only when you have evidence that the microbe directly causes the effect; otherwise, "associated with a microbe" is more appropriate.