main cause

USAGE SUMMARY

'main cause' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the primary reason for something. Example: The main cause of the power outage was a broken transformer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shrimp aquaculture is easily the main cause.

The Economist

Nor can demography be the main cause.

The Economist

The main cause of this is economics.

The Economist

That's been his main cause ever since.

The New York Times

Falling milk prices were the main cause.

The Guardian - Business

Was this relentless schedule the main cause of his disintegration?

The Guardian - Sport

But the main cause of his stress was Di Luca.

The New York Times - Sports

"The main cause they give to is education".

The Guardian

Chytrid is now considered the main cause of their decline.

The Guardian

The main cause was changes in French regulated prices.

The Guardian - Business

The main cause of friction was US policy towards Cuba.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex issues, clearly identify the "main cause" to provide a focused understanding and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't solely focus on the "main cause" to the exclusion of other contributing factors. Acknowledge secondary causes to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main cause" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence, identifying the principal reason or factor responsible for a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main cause" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the primary reason behind an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news, scientific, and business writing. While alternatives like "primary reason" or "chief factor" exist, "main cause" provides a direct and clear way to identify the most significant contributing element. Remember to consider secondary factors for a complete analysis, and use the phrase to help focus understanding when discussing complex topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary reason

Changes "cause" to "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind something rather than the instigating factor.

chief factor

Replaces "cause" with "factor", suggesting a contributing element that is most significant.

principal factor

Uses "principal" as a synonym for "main", highlighting the most important factor.

leading reason

Emphasizes the role of the cause as the one that guides or directs the outcome.

key factor

Highlights the essential nature of the cause, suggesting it's indispensable.

root cause

Indicates the fundamental or most basic cause, often requiring deeper analysis to uncover.

central reason

Highlights the importance of being the core or center.

primary driver

Suggests the cause is what propels or motivates the event or situation.

major contributor

Shifts focus to the idea of contribution, where the cause significantly adds to the outcome.

prime mover

Implies the cause is the initial and most powerful force behind an event.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "main cause"?

Alternatives to "main cause" include "primary reason", "chief factor", or "principal factor", which all emphasize the most significant reason behind an event.

How does "main cause" differ from "contributing factor"?

"Main cause" refers to the primary reason something happens, while "contributing factor" indicates one of several elements that played a role. The "main cause" is the most influential.

Is it appropriate to use "main cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "main cause" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to identify the most significant factor in a situation, suitable for academic, business, and news contexts.

Can "main cause" be subjective?

While the "main cause" should be based on evidence, its identification can sometimes be subjective, especially when dealing with complex issues that have multiple interconnected factors. Different analyses might prioritize different factors as the "main cause".