intermediate causes

USAGE SUMMARY

"intermediate causes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to discuss the causes of something that lie between the first or "primary" cause and the final result. For example, "These intermediate causes can lead to a variety of different outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The second is intermediate causes, those that created the immediate cause.

The New York Times - Health

Other Protestant theologians saw a solution to the difficulty through the argument that God operates through intermediate causes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We excluded any intermediate causes, such as hyperlipidemia and nutrition deficiencies, as comorbidities.

Health Economics Review

Herschel went on to say that "we are led, by all analogy, to suppose he [i.e., the Creator] operates through a series of intermediate causes".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It was postulated that intrinsic roughness of the energy landscape on the way downhill to the intermediate causes the lack of a single time-scale.

Journal of Molecular Biology

This pattern of causality is not very contentious: for example, if we (as efficient cause) bake a cake, then we order a number of intermediate causes (mixer, oven, and so on) to the end of the baked cake.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

One such intermediate cause that was of great importance for Boyle is the spring (or pressure) of the air (see Anstey 2002b; Chalmers 2012).

SEP

Then successive lines invite going back through the sequences that led to death, the last line of part 1 providing the underlying cause of death, and the lines between the first and the last delivering the intermediate cause(s).

Genus

If controlling for a well measured intermediate cause does not remove the association, it is not an intermediate cause.

Critical Care

In the relationship between time on CV and mortality, OI could be an intermediate cause.

Critical Care

Intermediate cause was defined as a factor in a causal pathway; therefore, controlling for an intermediate cause removes the association between an explanatory variable and outcome.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use "intermediate causes" to show a nuanced understanding of causality beyond simple cause-and-effect relationships.

Common error

Avoid conflating "intermediate causes" with immediate triggers. "Intermediate causes" set the stage, while immediate causes are the final event directly leading to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intermediate causes" functions as a noun phrase that describes a set of factors in a causal chain, distinct from both the initial trigger and the final effect. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intermediate causes" refers to the factors that link an initial cause to a final effect, providing a more detailed understanding of causality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, where nuanced explanations are essential. Related phrases include "secondary causes" and "contributing factors", each with slightly different connotations. When using "intermediate causes", be sure to distinguish them from immediate causes to maintain clarity in your analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary causes

Focuses on the idea that these causes are not primary but follow the initial cause.

contributing factors

Emphasizes the role of these causes in contributing to the final outcome.

intervening variables

Highlights their role as variables that mediate the relationship between cause and effect.

mediating factors

Focuses on the mediating role in a causal chain.

ancillary reasons

Implies that these reasons are supplementary to the main cause.

indirect influences

Highlights that the influence is not direct but operates through other factors.

intermediate effects

Shifts the focus from cause to the effects that serve as steps in a larger causal pathway.

proximate causes

Indicates that these causes are closer to the effect but not the ultimate origin.

underlying mechanisms

Stresses the mechanistic aspect of how these causes operate.

sequential causes

Highlights that these causes occur in a sequence leading to the final outcome.

FAQs

How are "intermediate causes" different from primary causes?

"Intermediate causes" are the factors that come into play after the primary cause but before the immediate effect. They are part of the causal chain but not the origin.

What's a good way to identify "intermediate causes" in a complex situation?

Break down the sequence of events leading to the outcome. The events that aren't the very first cause or the final trigger are likely "intermediate causes".

Can I use "secondary causes" instead of "intermediate causes"?

While "secondary causes" can sometimes be used interchangeably, "intermediate causes" specifically implies a position in a sequence of events, making it more precise in certain contexts.

How do "intermediate causes" relate to "contributing factors"?

While "contributing factors" can be any element that influences an outcome, "intermediate causes" are specifically links in a causal chain. Not all contributing factors are "intermediate causes".