explain the cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the cause of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to clarify the reason or factors behind a particular event or situation. Example: "In your report, please explain the cause of the recent decline in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We analyzed pertussis reporting, death, hospitalization, and serodiagnostic data from 1976 to 1998 to help explain the cause of the 1996 pertussis outbreak in the Netherlands.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The magistrate did not explain the cause of death.

The New York Times

Quite how forcefully such interests may have made their case could explain the cause of the crash.

The Guardian

De Silva did not explain the cause of death but declared the mass grave a crime scene.

The Guardian

Investigators and survivors rely on the data collection boxes to reconstruct air accidents and help explain the cause of a plane crash.

The New York Times

Although the state media did not fully explain the cause of the unrest, residents cited the plan to move the government offices.

The New York Times

Mr. Grembam, who is also associated with CalCars, could not explain the cause of the fire, which had occurred while the vehicle was being charged.

The New York Times

Also codified in thirteenth-century England was the writ of habeas corpus, an order requiring a jailer to bring a prisoner before a court and explain the cause of his imprisonment.

The New Yorker

Galtung, although his own granddaughter narrowly escaped the shooting, unflinchingly applied his sociologist's method of "diagnosis, prognosis and treatment" in an attempt to explain the cause of the violence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The title of "Margaret" comes from an 1880 poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Spring and Fall," which is addressed to a child who cannot explain the cause of the tears she sheds at the sight of dying leaves in autumn.

The New Yorker

The Fed released a brief statement on Wednesday saying it had postponed a closed-door meeting about the deal, though it did not explain the cause of the delay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the cause of", ensure that your explanation is thorough and considers all relevant factors. Providing a superficial or incomplete explanation can undermine your credibility.

Common error

Avoid simply stating correlations without demonstrating causation. It's crucial to differentiate between factors that are merely associated with an event and those that genuinely "explain the cause of" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the cause of" functions as a verb phrase used to introduce an explanation or analysis of why something happened. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it commonly appears in contexts where causation is being investigated or clarified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain the cause of" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for requesting or providing an explanation for an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, and while versatile, it benefits from thorough and well-supported explanations. When using the phrase, avoid merely stating correlations and focus on demonstrating clear causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the reasons for

Focuses on clarifying the reasons, offering a more direct approach.

elucidate the factors behind

Emphasizes the factors contributing to the cause, suggesting a more detailed analysis.

account for the occurrence of

Focuses on providing an explanation for why something happened.

identify the origins of

Highlights the act of pinpointing the source or beginning of something.

reveal the underlying reasons for

Stresses the uncovering of reasons that may not be immediately obvious.

determine the etiology of

More formal and often used in medical or scientific contexts, focusing on the origin of a disease or condition.

investigate the grounds for

Implies a thorough investigation to uncover the reasons or justification for something.

spell out the reasons behind

Emphasizes making the reasons very clear and explicit.

analyze the determinants of

Suggests a formal or scientific analysis of the factors that determine the cause.

resolve the mystery of

Suggests solving a puzzle or enigma related to the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the cause of" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the cause of" when you need to clarify the reason or factors behind an event. For example, "The investigators tried to explain the cause of the accident".

What are some alternatives to "explain the cause of"?

Alternatives include "clarify the reasons for", "elucidate the factors behind", or "determine the etiology of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "explain the cause of" or "what caused"?

"Explain the cause of" is more formal and suitable for analytical contexts. "What caused" is simpler and more direct, suitable for general inquiries. The best choice depends on the desired level of formality.

When is it inappropriate to use "explain the cause of"?

It may be inappropriate if the cause is unknown or speculative. In such cases, it's better to use phrases like "hypothesize about the cause of" or "investigate potential causes of".