likely causes of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely causes of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential reasons or factors that may contribute to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The study aimed to identify the likely causes of the increase in respiratory illnesses in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The carbon dioxide from these grossly oversized vehicles contributes significantly to global warming, one of the most likely causes of severe climatic changes like droughts.

The New York Times

Police said there were two likely causes of the wreck.

The Guardian

They ran through the most likely causes of the anomaly.

The Washington Post

Sports officials and psychologists agree that there are several likely causes of increasing parental violence.

The New York Times

Then he listed what he thought were the most likely causes of the patient's symptoms.

The New York Times - Magazine

Consider the most likely causes of memory slips before assuming the worst.

Harvard University

The doctor explained what he thought were the most likely causes of the headaches.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hypotheses about the likely causes of the young person's problems are then developed.

Medicine

Vehicle collision is one of the most likely causes of structural failure.

Engineering Structures

The likely causes of discontent are, helpfully for the Tory whips, fairly (though far from totally) predictable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Keep detailed records of how you clean the kitchen and what the likely causes of mess are.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic contexts, "likely causes of" can introduce potential explanations for events, encouraging further investigation.

Common error

Avoid presenting "likely causes of" as definitive facts. Always acknowledge the possibility of alternative explanations or contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely causes of" functions primarily as a noun modifier. It introduces a set of potential reasons or factors that could explain a particular event or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and frequent in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Engineering Structures

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely causes of" is a versatile and frequently used expression for introducing potential reasons or contributing factors to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness in English, and the analysis reveals its strong presence in scientific, academic, and journalistic writing. While it's important to avoid overstating certainty when using this phrase, its proper application can effectively convey potential explanations supported by available evidence. When paraphrasing, consider options like "probable reasons for" or "potential factors behind" to suit the specific context. The numerous examples found by Ludwig underscore the phrase's widespread acceptance and utility across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable reasons for

Replaces "causes" with "reasons" and "likely" with "probable", suggesting a high degree of possibility.

possible factors behind

Uses "factors" instead of "causes" and "behind" instead of "of", indicating contributing elements.

potential reasons for

Substitutes "likely" with "potential", emphasizing possibility rather than probability.

conceivable origins of

Replaces "causes" with "origins" and "likely" with "conceivable", focusing on the beginnings or sources.

plausible explanations for

Uses "explanations" instead of "causes" and "plausible" instead of "likely", suggesting reasonable accounts.

suspected sources of

Replaces "causes" with "sources" and "likely" with "suspected", implying a belief based on limited evidence.

identified factors contributing to

Emphasizes that certain factors have been specifically pinpointed as playing a role.

risk factors for

Highlights elements that increase the probability of a specific negative outcome.

major drivers of

Replaces "causes" with "drivers" and "likely" with "major", indicating significant influencing forces.

underlying mechanisms of

Focuses on the fundamental processes or systems that produce a particular effect.

FAQs

How can I use "likely causes of" in a sentence?

Use "likely causes of" to introduce potential explanations or contributing factors for a specific event or phenomenon. For instance, "Researchers are investigating the "likely causes of" the recent decline in bee populations".

What are some alternatives to using "likely causes of"?

You can use alternatives like "possible reasons for", "potential factors behind", or "plausible explanations for" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to say "probable causes of" or "likely causes of"?

Both "probable causes of" and ""likely causes of"" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. "Probable" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "likely", so choose the word that best reflects the strength of the evidence.

How does "likely causes of" differ from "potential causes of"?

"Likely causes of" suggests that there is some evidence supporting the identified causes, while "potential causes of" simply indicates that these are possibilities, without necessarily having strong supporting evidence.