largely caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

"largely caused by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to explain the main reason or cause for something. Examples of when you can use it include: - The increase in pollution in the city is largely caused by the high number of cars on the road. - The success of the movie can be largely attributed to its strong marketing campaign. - The decline in sales was largely caused by the economic recession. - The rise in childhood obesity is largely caused by unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. - The decrease in crime rates is largely caused by the implementation of strict law enforcement policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The adverse effect of diarrhea is largely caused by inhibition of water absorption in the large intestine.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The soot is largely caused by sulfur in the fuel.

The New York Times

From the beginning, he has said global warming is happening and is largely caused by humans.

The Guardian

NO2 is largely caused by diesel vehicles, and can aggravate existing health problems such as asthma.

The Guardian

Instead, they claim that it is largely caused by the less clear-cut condition, food intolerance.

The Guardian

But the increase was largely caused by previously unregistered adult players who joined for insurance reasons.

The New York Times

It describes the author's myriad boyhood confusions over the holiday, largely caused by his family history.

The New York Times - Books

The decrease was largely caused by a fall in the number of entries by boys.

The Guardian

These civilian deaths were largely caused by starvation, exposure, disease, military encounters, and massacres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This flow is largely caused by sheets of ice sliding on rocky beds, the researchers report.

The New York Times - Science

If the previous crisis was largely caused by ill-advised international lending, this one was homegrown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely caused by", ensure that the cause you are identifying is indeed the most significant factor, not just a contributing one. Use supporting evidence to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "largely caused by" when multiple factors contribute significantly to an outcome. Instead, acknowledge the various causes or use more nuanced language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely caused by" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its primary cause. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it is used to attribute an outcome mainly to a specific factor. The Examples show how it connects various phenomena to their significant origins.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largely caused by" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile causal connector used to indicate the primary reason or origin of a situation. Ludwig AI shows that it appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, reflecting its neutral register and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the identified cause is indeed the most significant factor. Alternatives like "primarily due to" or "mainly attributed to" can offer similar meaning with slight nuances. Avoid overstating the cause when multiple factors contribute significantly. Overall, "largely caused by" is a reliable and useful tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily due to

Focuses on the primary reason or factor contributing to a specific outcome or situation.

mainly attributed to

Highlights the principal factor to which something is credited or assigned.

substantially resulting from

Emphasizes the significant impact of a preceding event or condition on the outcome.

chiefly stemming from

Points out the major origin or source from which a particular result arises.

predominantly generated by

Highlights the major factor that produces or creates a particular outcome.

mostly owing to

Indicates that the principal reason for something is due to a specific cause or factor.

largely a consequence of

Focuses on the idea that something is mainly the result of a prior action or condition.

significantly influenced by

Highlights the substantial effect or impact of something on a particular situation.

considerably arising from

Emphasizes the substantial degree to which something originates from a specific source.

greatly influenced by

Stresses the significant impact or effect something has on a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "largely caused by" in a sentence?

Use "largely caused by" to indicate the main reason or origin of a situation. For example, "The economic downturn was "largely caused by" the housing market crash."

What are some alternatives to "largely caused by"?

Alternatives include "primarily due to", "mainly attributed to", or "substantially resulting from". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "partly caused by" instead of "largely caused by"?

Yes, "partly caused by" is correct, but it suggests the cause was one of several significant factors. "Largely caused by" indicates the cause was the primary or most significant factor.

What's the difference between "caused by" and "largely caused by"?

"Caused by" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. "Largely caused by" implies that while other factors might have contributed, the mentioned factor was the predominant cause.