leading cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

"leading cause of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to the primary source or agent of something. For example, "Deforestation is the leading cause of species extinction in tropical forests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Cancer was the leading cause of death.

The New York Times

The leading cause of facial freezer burn.

The New York Times

Eclampsia, a leading cause of maternal mortality.

Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

Suicide is a leading cause of death.

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents.

The Guardian

Suicide is the leading cause of premature mortality in Australia.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, it remains the leading cause of postnatal mortality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wasn't murder the leading cause of death for pregnant women?

The New Yorker

It is a leading cause of illness in young women.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

(Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among teenagers).

The New York Times

This is the leading cause of violations.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leading cause of", ensure that the cause you are identifying is supported by credible evidence and data. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Be cautious about attributing causality based solely on correlation. Just because one factor frequently precedes an outcome doesn't automatically make it the "leading cause". Consider potential confounding variables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading cause of" functions as a modifier to identify the principal factor responsible for a specific outcome or condition. Ludwig examples show it's often used to describe major contributors to death, illness, or other significant issues. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leading cause of" is a versatile and widely used expression to identify the primary factor behind a particular outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia, reflecting its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that your claims are supported by credible evidence and be mindful of potential confounding variables. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from health and safety to environmental concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary reason for

Replaces "cause" with "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind something.

main factor in

Focuses on the element that most significantly contributes to a result.

chief contributor to

Highlights the major contributing element.

principal driver of

Emphasizes the force or impetus behind something.

biggest reason for

Uses "biggest" instead of "leading" to convey the magnitude of the cause.

foremost reason for

Emphasizes the priority or importance of the reason.

top reason for

Uses "top" to indicate the most significant reason.

major determinant of

Highlights the determining factor in a situation.

primary source of

Shifts the focus to the origin or source of something.

most significant factor in

Emphasizes the significance of the factor involved.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "leading cause of" in a sentence?

The phrase "leading cause of" is used to indicate the primary factor responsible for a particular outcome. For example, "Smoking is the "leading cause of" lung cancer."

What's a more formal way to say "leading cause of"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "primary reason for", "principal driver of", or "chief contributor to" as alternatives to "leading cause of".

What are some common things that are described as the "leading cause of" something?

Common examples include diseases (e.g., heart disease is the "leading cause of" death), accidents (e.g., car accidents are the "leading cause of" teen deaths), and environmental issues (e.g., deforestation is a "leading cause of" species extinction).

Is it always accurate to identify one single "leading cause of" something?

While identifying a "leading cause of" can be useful, it's important to recognize that many outcomes are influenced by multiple factors. Consider whether other significant contributors should also be acknowledged for a more nuanced understanding.