examine the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine the cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the investigation or analysis of a specific reason or factor behind an event or situation. Example: "In order to improve our processes, we need to examine the cause of the recent delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The study did not examine the cause of the lag.

The New York Times

We use a multiproxy palaeoecological dataset from Dead Island bog in Northern Ireland to examine the cause of the Sphagnum austinii (Sphagnum imbricatum) decline.

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology

This study used a prospective longitudinal multi-level study design to examine the cause and effect relationships between psychosocial conditions, safety climate, and safety behaviour.

Safety Science

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the cause of increasing myopia after penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus with the guided trephine system.

American Journal of Ophthalmology

In the laboratory experiments, water samples collected from tributaries were mixed with those from the Abukuma River mainstream to examine the cause and effect of phosphate removal in the mainstream.

Journal of Hydrology

Tuesday's hearing was intended to examine the cause of Lehman's meltdown in September 2008, but it also drew lawmakers into a partisan squabble over the Obama administration's push for an overhaul of the financial regulatory system.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The study was designed using causal research design in order to examine the cause-effect relationship between the variables.

Computers & Education

The study is established using causal research design in order to examine the cause-effect relationship between the study variables.

Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education

Further studies would examine the causes, she added.

The New York Times

The HSE confirmed its investigators would examine the causes as soon as it was safe.

The Guardian

International insurers insisted that China have an outside review panel examine the causes of the accident.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific or investigative reports, use "examine the cause" to maintain a neutral and objective tone, which signals a thorough and unbiased inquiry into the matter.

Common error

Avoid using "examine the cause" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "find out why" or "figure out what happened" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "examine the cause" is as a verbal phrase that indicates the action of investigating or analyzing something to determine its origin or reason. As Ludwig AI explains, it's usable in written English for discussing the investigation or analysis of a specific reason.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine the cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as a verbal phrase indicating an investigative action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's well-suited for discussing analyses and investigations. While most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When you aim for objectivity and analytical depth, opting for "examine the cause" can be effective; however, remember that more informal alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. Some great alternatives include investigate the reason and analyze the source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate the reason

Replaces "examine" with "investigate" and "cause" with "reason", focusing on a more formal inquiry.

analyze the source

Substitutes "examine" with "analyze" and "cause" with "source", emphasizing a deeper, more methodical assessment.

determine the origin

Replaces "examine" with "determine" and "cause" with "origin", highlighting the process of establishing the starting point or root of something.

identify the root

Uses "identify" instead of "examine" and "root" instead of "cause", suggesting a focus on discovering the fundamental element.

explore the basis

Substitutes "examine" with "explore" and "cause" with "basis", indicating a broader, more exploratory approach.

ascertain the grounds

Replaces "examine" with "ascertain" and "cause" with "grounds", which is a more formal way to say to establish the reason.

look into the factors

Uses "look into" instead of "examine" and "factors" instead of "cause", suggesting a simpler, more direct investigation.

delve into the why

Replaces "examine" with "delve into" and "cause" with "why", indicating a deeper and more thorough investigation.

study the etiology

Employs more technical vocabulary, replacing "examine" with "study" and "cause" with "etiology", relevant in medical or scientific contexts.

consider the genesis

Replaces "examine" with "consider" and "cause" with "genesis", focusing on a thoughtful review of the beginning or creation of something.

FAQs

What does "examine the cause" mean?

To "examine the cause" means to investigate, analyze, or inquire into the reasons or origins of something, typically a problem, event, or phenomenon.

When is it appropriate to use "examine the cause" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "examine the cause" in formal writing, reports, and academic papers where a thorough investigation or analysis is required. It's particularly useful when discussing problems or phenomena that need detailed understanding.

What are some alternatives to "examine the cause"?

You can use alternatives such as "investigate the reason", "analyze the source", or "determine the origin" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "examine the cause" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "examine the cause" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "find out why" or "look into what happened" are generally more suitable for informal settings.