most common cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most common cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary reason or factor behind a particular phenomenon or issue. Example: "The most common cause of car accidents is distracted driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most common cause of dissatisfaction and departures?

The New York Times

Family strains were the third most common cause, at 11%.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The most common cause of miscarriage is sporadic chromosome errors.

Stanford University

This represents the most common cause of heel pain.

Stanford University

But the most common cause of death they reported?

Harvard Business Review

Anxiety is the most common cause of hyperventilation.

Britannica

Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of pulmonary emphysema.

Britannica

The most common cause of maternal death is hemorrhage.

The New York Times

T. spiralis is the most common cause of human trichinellosis.

Nature

Human enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea worldwide.

Vaccine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most common cause", ensure you provide specific evidence or data to support your claim. Vague statements can undermine your credibility.

Common error

Do not assume that the "most common cause" is the only cause. Acknowledge that other factors may contribute to the outcome, even if they are less frequent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most common cause" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object complement, identifying the primary reason or factor behind a particular event or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most common cause" is grammatically sound and frequently used across a spectrum of contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to pinpoint the primary factor behind a particular phenomenon. While versatile, it's essential to support its use with concrete evidence and acknowledge other contributing factors to avoid overgeneralizations. Its neutral to formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic discourse, while its presence in encyclopedias and news media highlights its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading cause

Focuses on the idea of being the foremost or principal cause, similar to "most common cause" but with a slight shift in emphasis.

primary reason

Emphasizes the rationale or justification as being the main one, differing from "most common cause" by highlighting intent.

main contributing factor

Highlights the element that significantly adds to the result, moving away from direct causation.

chief cause

Replaces "most common" with "chief", indicating the principal or dominant cause.

principal factor

Substitutes "cause" with "factor", presenting a broader element influencing an outcome.

predominant reason

Uses "predominant" to show the reason is prevailing and influential.

major source

Replaces "cause" with "source", emphasizing origination more than direct causation.

most frequent origin

Shifts the focus to the point of beginning or creation that occurs most often.

typical trigger

Highlights the event that sets off a process, differing from the comprehensive nature of "most common cause".

number one reason

Uses a more informal tone to express the top reason.

FAQs

How can I use "most common cause" in a sentence?

You can use "most common cause" to introduce the primary factor contributing to a specific situation. For example: "The "most common cause" of car accidents is distracted driving."

What are some alternatives to "most common cause"?

Alternatives include "leading cause", "primary reason", or "main contributing factor", depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to identify a "most common cause"?

While identifying the "most common cause" can be helpful, it's essential to acknowledge that other contributing factors might also play a significant role. Complex issues often have multiple causes.

What is the difference between "most common cause" and "a cause"?

"Most common cause" refers to the primary or predominant factor, while "a cause" simply indicates one of possibly many contributing factors. For example, while smoking is a cause of lung cancer, it is the "most common cause".