it could be cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be cause" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and may need additional context or rephrasing to convey a clear meaning. Example: "It could be the cause of the problem we are experiencing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It turns out that even while you're doing something healthy, what you're wearing while doing it could be cause for concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If the item you're looking at is unlike anything they usually sell, it could be cause for suspicion.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No one ever mentioned anything about the fact that it could be causing my headaches".

The New York Times - Magazine

It could be caused by inhalation and accidental ingestion of coal and burnt wood fumes and residue.

The Guardian

It could be caused by anything from the temperature of the ingredients to the speed at which the oil is being added.

The New York Times - Food

He says he is uncertain what is causing the observed heating of the planet, adding that it could be caused by sunspots or the normal cycles of nature.

The New York Times

When Tom Wagg was 15, on work experience with an astrophysics professor at Keele University, he spotted a dip in the light from a star and realised it could be caused by a planet in front of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the upper abdomen, with weight loss in the over-55s, it could be caused by oesophageal or stomach cancer, but occurring elsewhere in the abdomen, in a patient aged 60, an urgent CT scan might reveal pancreatic cancer.

The Guardian

It could be caused by the surface energy of plasma-treated PET.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Wall thickening of the 2nd portion of the duodenum (asterisk) is seen, although it could be caused by pancreatitis.

Insights into Imaging

It could be caused by infection of biliary, portal, hematogenous, or cryptogenic origin and infection of adjacent structures [1].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it could be cause" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "it could be the cause" or "it might be the reason".

Common error

The most common error is omitting the article "the" before "cause". Remember to use "it could be the cause" for grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be cause" functions as an incomplete expression suggesting a potential reason or origin. However, it lacks grammatical correctness, as noted by Ludwig AI, requiring completion to convey a clear meaning. Properly, it should be written as "it could be the cause."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it could be cause" appears in some contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that it is an incomplete thought, requiring the definite article "the" to form a correct and clear sentence: "it could be the cause". Alternative phrases, like "it might be the reason" or "it may be the cause", offer more grammatically sound and natural ways to express possibility. Usage is rare, mainly appearing in news and media or wiki sources. Therefore, it's best to avoid "it could be cause" and opt for its corrected or alternative forms to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might be the reason

Replaces "cause" with the more common "reason", making the phrase more natural.

it may be the cause

Substitutes "could" with "may", providing a similar level of uncertainty but with slightly more formal tone.

it could be the source

Changes "cause" to "source", focusing on the origin rather than the direct reason.

it could be responsible

Shifts the focus to accountability rather than simple causation.

it could be the origin

Replaces "cause" with "origin", emphasizing the point of commencement or derivation.

it may be attributed to

Uses a more formal construction to suggest a potential reason or origin.

it could stem from

Focuses on the idea that something originates or develops from a particular source or cause.

it could be down to

An informal way of suggesting a potential cause or reason, commonly used in British English.

it could arise from

Suggests that something originates or emerges from a particular cause or set of circumstances.

it might be linked to

Indicates a potential connection or association between two things, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it could be cause"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "it could be "it could be the cause"" or "it might be "it might be the reason"".

Is "it could be cause" grammatically correct?

No, "it could be cause" is not grammatically correct. The phrase requires the definite article "the" before "cause", making it "it could be the cause".

When can I use "it could be the cause"?

You can use "it could be the cause" when suggesting a possible reason for something. For example, "The error message indicates that "it could be the cause" of the system failure".

What is a more formal alternative to "it could be cause"?

A more formal alternative is "it may be attributed to", which is suitable for academic or professional contexts.