have not been caused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have not been caused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not resulted from a specific cause or event. Example: "The issues we are facing have not been caused by a lack of resources, but rather by poor planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Perhaps drawing on the Iraq example, President Obama believes America's problems have not been caused by too much restraint, but by overreach and hubris.

The New York Times

Honest about the fact that London's housing problems have not been caused by immigration, but more by housing laws in the UK.

The Guardian

Unlike last year's jump, the gains on energy markets these last few weeks have not been caused mainly by geopolitical tensions, although these have not disappeared in Iraq, Iran or Venezuela.

The New York Times

Recent attacks have not been caused by the Ping of Death.

Forbes

Another source close to Arum told BBC Sport that, contrary to reports, the ticketing problems have not been caused by Mayweather's camp.

BBC

On the other hand, these results have not been caused by disproportionate gains in one or two stocks, generally a very good sign.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The slump has not been caused by the currency board.

The Economist

The long hiatus in my trawl through past Booker winners has not been caused by boredom.

The Guardian - Books

This has not been caused by any fall in demand for music.

The Economist

"This problem has not been caused by Rwanda and it has not been abetted by Rwanda," said Kagame.

The Guardian

It is understood the delay has not been caused by any of the principal witnesses to the inquiry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have not been caused", ensure that you clearly state what the actual cause is, or at least provide an alternative explanation to maintain clarity and avoid leaving the reader with unanswered questions.

Common error

Avoid using "have not been caused" excessively in your writing, as it can lead to a passive and vague tone. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice, which is generally more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not been caused" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something did not originate from a specific source or event. Ludwig shows its common usage in negating causality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have not been caused" is a versatile tool for negating causality, appearing frequently in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and well-established. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to either identify the true cause or suggest alternative explanations to maintain clarity. Avoiding overuse of passive voice will enhance the directness and engagement of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not brought about by

Replaces "caused" with "brought about", emphasizing the action of initiating or producing a result.

did not originate from

Focuses on the starting point or source of something, clarifying that it is not from a specific place or event.

did not stem from

Indicates that the origin or source of something is different, focusing on the initial point of development.

was not incited by

Focuses on the action of provoking or triggering a response, clarifying that a specific event did not initiate it.

was not a consequence of

Highlights that a specific outcome or effect is not attributable to a particular action or event.

is not attributable to

Indicates that the responsibility or cause cannot be correctly assigned to a particular factor.

is unrelated to

Emphasizes a lack of connection or association between two things, suggesting no causal link.

cannot be attributed to

Suggests that assigning a cause to something is not possible or accurate, indicating a different origin.

is independent of

Highlights the separate and unconnected nature of two elements, implying no causal relationship.

is not the product of

Emphasizes that something is not the result or outcome of a particular process or action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have not been caused" to sound more active?

Instead of "have not been caused", consider using phrases like "did not cause", "didn't result in", or "were not the reason for". These alternatives create a more direct and active tone.

Is it better to use "have not been caused by" or "was not caused by"?

Both "have not been caused by" and "was not caused by" are grammatically correct. "Have not been caused by" implies a continuing relevance or a connection to the present, while "was not caused by" refers to a specific past event. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "have not been caused" and "is not caused by"?

"Have not been caused" suggests that something hasn't been caused up to the present time, whereas "is not caused by" indicates a general lack of causation that might extend beyond a particular timeframe. Consider the temporal context when choosing between them.

What are some alternatives to "have not been caused by" in formal writing?

In formal writing, alternatives to "have not been caused by" include "did not originate from", "was not a consequence of", or "cannot be attributed to". These options often sound more precise and sophisticated.