foremost cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the main reason or primary factor that leads to a particular outcome or situation. Example: The foremost cause of the company's financial struggles was a decrease in consumer demand for their products.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Trauma is the foremost cause of death in young patients.

Resuscitation

"Life is the foremost cause in how I vote.

The New Yorker

Lung cancer is the foremost cause of cancer mortality and is a growing economic burden worldwide.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

Alcohol, a most commonly consumed beverage, is the foremost cause of liver injury throughout the world.

Phytomedicine

Aseptic loosening of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components is the foremost cause of implant failure in the long term.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

To demand a ban on lead ammunition (lead poisoning is the foremost cause of California condor deaths) would alienate hunters.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

To an extent unmatched in the rest of the country, California's recession was, first and foremost, caused by its increasingly dysfunctional relationship with Washington.

Los Angeles Times

Pneumonia is among the foremost causes of hospitalization and mortality in patients residing in extended care facilities [1 8].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Pneumonia is among the foremost causes of hospitalization and mortality in patients residing in extended care facilities.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Tubercular infection constitutes one of the foremost causes of death and morbidity across the world, more so in the tropical region.

Insights into Imaging

Preface to the Second Edition Despite worldwide efforts to assess and control cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac diseases and in particular coronary artery disease (CAD) are still the foremost causes of death in the developed countries of Western Europe, North America and Asia and are becoming increasingly common in Eastern Europe and the developing world (Deanfield 2001).

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foremost cause" to clearly identify the most important factor contributing to a specific outcome. This ensures clarity and emphasizes the key element.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost cause" when a simpler term like "main reason" or "primary factor" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive that identifies the most important reason for a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a main or primary factor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

34%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foremost cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that denotes the most significant reason or factor contributing to a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI states, it's used to describe a main or primary factor. Primarily found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, this phrase effectively communicates the primary driver behind events or conditions. While precise and impactful, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary formality in simpler contexts. Alternatives such as "leading cause" or "main reason" can offer more casual alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading cause

Replaces "foremost" with "leading", emphasizing the directional aspect of being ahead.

primary cause

Substitutes "foremost" with "primary", highlighting the fundamental importance of the cause.

main cause

Uses "main" instead of "foremost", focusing on the principal aspect.

chief cause

Replaces "foremost" with "chief", suggesting the most important or dominant cause.

principal reason

Shifts from "cause" to "reason", offering a slightly different perspective on the explanation.

major factor

Broadens the scope from "cause" to "factor", implying one of several significant influences.

key driver

Uses a more dynamic term "driver" to indicate what propels or initiates something.

root cause

Emphasizes the foundational or underlying cause.

underlying reason

Focuses on the foundational explanation.

most significant cause

Adds emphasis by specifying significance, making it more impactful.

FAQs

What does "foremost cause" mean?

The phrase "foremost cause" refers to the most important or primary reason for something. It highlights the main factor that contributes to a particular outcome or situation.

What can I say instead of "foremost cause"?

You can use alternatives like "leading cause", "primary cause", or "main reason" depending on the context.

Is "foremost cause" formal or informal?

"Foremost cause" is generally considered a more formal expression. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "main reason" might be more appropriate.

How to use "foremost cause" in a sentence?

Use "foremost cause" to clearly identify the most significant factor. For example, "The foremost cause of the accident was driver inattention."