for no apparent cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for no apparent cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that occurs without any clear reason or explanation. Example: "The lights flickered and then went out for no apparent cause, leaving the entire building in darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

5 It is not clear to what machine the author refers: but if one circle is revolved by mechanical means which cannot be seen, the others in contact with it will revolve in opposite directions for no apparent cause.

University of Chicago

Where such a picture is seen in a child of otherwise normal intelligence for no apparent cause this is termed specific language impairment (SLI).

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN95287767 Infant colic, characterised by excessive crying/fussing for no apparent cause, is common and distressing to families.

BMC Pediatrics

Infant colic, characterised by excessive crying/fussing for no apparent cause, affects up to 20% of infants under three months of age and is a great burden to families, health professionals and the health system.

BMC Pediatrics

Consult a veterinarian if the kitten is uncomfortable for no apparent cause, or if you discover a more serious medical issue.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For the other failures, no apparent cause could be identified.

BioMed Research International

In contrast, for other patients (n = 4) there was no apparent cause for episodes of exacerbated pain: 'I would say I just got up in the morning, the pain was there.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In the hands of a skilled writer, especially one who has committed years to observing and thinking about some small corner of existence -- poets such as Jack Gilbert, Mary Oliver and Louise Glück -- this poetry can achieve breathtaking effects that are all the more mystifying because, at first, we can find no apparent cause for this sudden in-rush of energy.

The Washington Post

Regarding the outlier in the sentence 10, there is no apparent cause for this disorder.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Mr Elliott said the RSPB would monitor the situation and there was no apparent cause for concern.

BBC

Patients were diagnosed to have biochemical hepatotoxicity if there was no apparent cause for the raised liver function tests plus if he/she had one of the following: a rise of five times the upper limit of normal levels (31 U/L) of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and no sign and symptom of DIH.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for no apparent cause", ensure the context clearly indicates that the lack of an obvious reason is significant to the point you are making. This adds emphasis to the unexpected or mysterious nature of the event or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "for no apparent cause" in very casual conversations where simpler expressions like "just because" or "no reason" would suffice. The phrase is more suited for formal or analytical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for no apparent cause" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of a clear or understandable reason for an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for no apparent cause" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates the absence of a clear or understandable reason for something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and suitable for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds its niche in contexts where the lack of an obvious explanation is noteworthy, particularly in scientific, news, and general knowledge domains. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure the context warrants the emphasis on the missing cause, and to avoid overuse in casual settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for no discernible reason

Replaces "apparent" with "discernible", emphasizing that the reason is not easily noticeable or distinguishable.

for no obvious reason

Uses "obvious" instead of "apparent", suggesting the cause isn't immediately evident.

for no explicable cause

Similar to "for no apparent cause" but emphasizes the impossibility of explaining the cause.

without any clear explanation

Expresses the lack of a comprehensible account for why something happened.

for no good reason

Suggests the absence of a valid or justifiable cause.

for reasons unknown

Shifts focus to the unknowability of the cause, adding a slightly mysterious tone.

without a traceable origin

Highlights the inability to find the source or beginning of the event.

without visible motivation

Focuses on the lack of any observable drive or incentive behind an action.

for an inscrutable motive

Indicates that the underlying motivation is impossible to understand or interpret.

inexplicably

A single-word adverb conveying that something cannot be explained.

FAQs

What does "for no apparent cause" mean?

The phrase "for no apparent cause" means that something happens without any clear or easily understandable reason. It indicates that there is no obvious explanation for an event or situation.

How can I use "for no apparent cause" in a sentence?

You can use "for no apparent cause" to describe situations where the reason is unknown or not immediately evident. For example: "The computer shut down /s/unexpectedly for no apparent cause unexpectedly.".

What are some alternatives to saying "for no apparent cause"?

Some alternatives include "for no obvious reason", "for reasons unknown", or "without any clear explanation". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "for no apparent reason" or "for no apparent cause"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Cause" implies a reason or explanation, while "reason" is more general. Use whichever fits the specific context best. The phrase "for no apparent reason" is very similar in meaning.