is mostly caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is mostly caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular phenomenon or situation is primarily the result of certain factors or causes. Example: "The increase in pollution levels is mostly caused by industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

London's population boom is mostly caused by babies.

The Guardian

It now seems more likely that each common disease is mostly caused by large numbers of rare variants, ones too rare to have been cataloged by the HapMap.

The New York Times - Health

An important question is whether the changes are related to a 50-year global warming trend that scientists say is mostly caused by emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from smokestacks and tailpipes.

The New York Times - Science

Black carbon is mostly caused by rural cookstoves, and ozone forms as a result of motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents reacting in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight.

The Guardian

In general, spoilage of meat is mostly caused by bacteria.

International Journal of Food Microbiology

In humans, brucellosis is mostly caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus.

Molecular Immunology

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage is mostly caused by the rupture of an aneurysm.

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery

LVOTO is mostly caused by a combination of septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve (SAM).

International Journal of Cardiology

The low efficiency is mostly caused by the serious charge recombination between the electrolyte and photoelectrodes [31].

Nanoscale Research Letters

DMD, a rare, degenerative, X-linked recessive genetic disease is mostly caused by frame-shift mutations in the dystrophin gene, preventing production of dystrophin protein.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology

The rest is mostly caused by melting mountain glaciers and, especially in recent years, retreating ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is mostly caused by", ensure the context clearly indicates that other contributing factors may exist, even if they are less significant. This avoids oversimplification and maintains accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "is mostly caused by" when the situation involves a multitude of equally significant factors. In such cases, consider alternatives like "is influenced by a combination of" to reflect the complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is mostly caused by" functions as a causal connector, indicating the primary reason or factor leading to a particular outcome. It is commonly used to explain why something happens, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is mostly caused by" serves as a crucial tool for indicating primary causation across various domains. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. While it's most frequent in scientific and news contexts, remember that it implies that other, less significant, factors may contribute to the effect, and it should not be used when multiple factors contribute equally. Alternatives such as "is primarily due to" and "is largely attributed to" can add nuance, while being aware of oversimplification ensures responsible and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is primarily due to

Replaces "mostly" with "primarily", emphasizing the main cause but suggesting other contributing factors may exist.

is largely attributed to

Emphasizes that the effect is broadly linked to the cause, suggesting a significant but not exclusive connection.

is mainly a result of

Focuses on the outcome as a consequence of the stated cause, highlighting a direct relationship.

stems primarily from

Implies the cause is the origin or root of the effect, suggesting a fundamental connection.

is predominantly generated by

Highlights the creation or production aspect of the cause, often used when discussing processes.

is principally brought about by

A more formal way of expressing causation, emphasizing the active role of the cause in producing the effect.

is significantly influenced by

Suggests the cause has a strong effect, but other influences may also be present.

is heavily reliant on

Indicates a strong dependency on the cause, implying the effect is contingent on it.

originates largely from

Focuses on the source or beginning of the effect, attributing it predominantly to the stated cause.

is substantially produced by

Emphasizes that the effect is generated in large part by the cause, but some other factors may play a role.

FAQs

What's a good way to rephrase "is mostly caused by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "is primarily due to", "is largely attributed to", or "is principally brought about by".

When is it inappropriate to use "is mostly caused by"?

It's best to avoid "is mostly caused by" when the effect has many equally significant causes. Using it in such situations can oversimplify the relationship and mislead the reader.

How can I use "is mostly caused by" in a sentence?

You can use "is mostly caused by" to explain the primary reason something occurs. For example, "The city's air pollution is mostly caused by vehicle emissions".

What are some alternatives to "is mostly caused by" that acknowledge multiple contributing factors?

Consider using alternatives like "is significantly influenced by" or "is affected by a combination of" to indicate that several factors contribute to the outcome.