key causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key causes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main factors or reasons behind a particular event or situation. Example: "The report identified several key causes of the decline in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cited industrialisation, urbanisation and agricultural modernisation as key causes of environmental problems.

The Guardian

To Thaler, the key causes of the financial crisis were high leverage and human frailty.

The New Yorker

Smoking too, one of the key causes of heart disease, has fallen.

Independent

Positive peace requires a movement away from marginalisation and economic deprivation, two key causes of Liberia's uncivil wars.

The Guardian

Also on the safety front, language buried in the Senate version of the transportation bill would badly hamper the government's response to two key causes of highway crashes.

The New York Times

From the opening pages, the evils of capitalism and neoliberalism are presented as one of they key causes of the Arab spring.

The Guardian - Books

Merritt says one of the key causes was budget cuts, adding that whether executives intended to cut safety budgets was not relevant.

The Guardian - Business

When the seething discontent in Britain's inner cities exploded into widespread rioting in the early 1980s, discrimination in housing was identified as one of the key causes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Tory leader's attempt to hitch his political wagon to some of the progressive movement's key causes is, of course, the mirror image of Labour's "prawn cocktail offensive", the wooing of the City and business community, in the early 90s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diesel powered fridges on refrigerated vehicles also emit "grossly disproportionate" amounts of toxic nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, two key causes of air pollution that contribute to millions of premature deaths worldwide [pdf].

The Guardian

His technique has evoked howls of protest from physiologists who point out that it ignores decades of solid experimental evidence implicating age-related changes within the lens itself as key causes of presbyopia.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key causes", ensure that the causes you identify are indeed the most influential factors and not merely contributing elements. Be specific and provide evidence to support your claims.

Common error

Avoid listing contributing factors as "key causes" if they are not the most significant drivers. Focus on the primary factors that have the most substantial impact on the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key causes" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most important reasons or factors contributing to a specific outcome or situation. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is used correctly across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "key causes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to identify the most significant reasons or factors behind a particular situation. Ludwig confirms its broad applicability and correctness. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the identified causes are indeed the most influential and provide evidence to support your claims. Alternatives include "main reasons" and "principal factors", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief causes

Synonymous with "key causes", but uses "chief" for emphasis.

main reasons

Substitutes "key" with "main", providing a simpler and more direct alternative.

central reasons

Highlights the reasons at the core or center of the issue.

leading factors

Similar to "main reasons", but slightly more formal and emphasizes influence.

principal factors

Uses "principal" instead of "key", offering a more formal and emphatic tone.

significant reasons

Emphasizes the importance and weight of the reasons.

critical factors

Stresses the importance and criticality of the factors involved.

primary drivers

Replaces "causes" with "drivers", emphasizing the forces that propel something forward.

major determinants

Replaces "causes" with "determinants", highlighting the elements that decisively affect an outcome.

root causes

Focuses on the fundamental, underlying reasons for a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "key causes" in a sentence?

You can use "key causes" to identify the most important reasons or factors behind an event or situation. For example, "The report identified several "key causes" of the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to saying "key causes"?

You can use alternatives like "main reasons", "principal factors", or "primary drivers" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "key causes" and "contributing factors"?

"Key causes" refers to the most significant factors, while "contributing factors" are less influential but still play a role. "Key causes" have a more direct and substantial impact.

Is it appropriate to use "key causes" in formal writing?

Yes, "key causes" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to identify the most important factors in academic, business, and news contexts.