natural causes

USAGE SUMMARY

"natural causes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific cause of death or destruction, such as when a person dies or a property is destroyed without apparent cause. For example, "The cause of the house fire was determined to be natural causes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

26th of natural causes.

The New York Times

Natural causes or poison?

The Guardian - Books

Of natural causes.

The Guardian - Books

She died of natural causes.

Independent

He died of natural causes.

The New York Times

Natural causes can't be responsible.

The New York Times - Books

Died peacefully of natural causes.

The New York Times

"Natural causes for an Indian".

The New Yorker

And not from natural causes.

The Guardian - Business

"It died of natural causes," Appel said.

The New York Times - Sports

He deplored the euphemism "natural causes".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting a death, use "natural causes" only when a medical professional has determined that the death was due to disease, illness, or old age, rather than external factors like accidents or violence. If the specific cause is known, provide more detail for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "natural causes" as a catch-all term when the actual cause of death is unknown or suspicious. This can be misleading and disrespectful. Instead, state that the cause of death is undetermined pending further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural causes" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the reason for an event, typically death, occurring due to internal biological factors rather than external influences. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's common usage in describing deaths due to age, illness, or internal malfunction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "natural causes" is a common noun phrase used to describe events, particularly death, resulting from internal biological factors rather than external influences. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in professional and official communications. Its function is to provide a concise and neutral explanation. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using "natural causes", ensure it accurately reflects the circumstances and is confirmed by relevant authorities. Avoid using it as a vague or misleading explanation when the specific cause is unknown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

death by natural causes

Specifies that the death occurred due to natural processes, adding emphasis to the cause.

due to natural processes

Shifts the focus to the processes themselves rather than an unspecified cause.

from inherent conditions

Highlights that internal or pre-existing conditions led to the outcome.

result of natural phenomena

Emphasizes the role of natural events or occurrences.

non-intervention causes

Focuses on the absence of external forces causing the event.

intrinsic factors

Highlights internal or inherent factors as the cause.

unassisted events

Emphasizes that the events happened without any external help.

spontaneous occurrences

Suggests that the events arose without any apparent external cause.

organic developments

Focuses on the natural, biological progression of events.

self-generated events

Highlights that the events originated from within the system itself.

FAQs

How is "natural causes" typically used in a sentence?

"Natural causes" is commonly used to describe the reason for someone's death, indicating it was due to old age, disease, or internal malfunction of the body, rather than an accident or external trauma. For example, "The deceased passed away from "death by natural causes"".

What are some alternative phrases for "natural causes"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "due to illness", "result of disease", or "from old age" to specify the cause of death more precisely if known. If not, "inherent conditions" may be a suitable option.

Is it appropriate to use "natural causes" when the specific cause of death is unknown?

While "natural causes" is generally used when the death is due to internal factors like age or illness, it's best to use it only when confirmed by a medical professional. If the specific cause is genuinely unknown, stating "the cause of death is undetermined" is more accurate.

What's the difference between "natural causes" and "undetermined cause of death"?

"Natural causes" implies a death resulting from internal bodily processes like aging or disease, confirmed by medical assessment. "Undetermined cause of death" means the reason for death is not yet known and requires further investigation. So while "result of natural phenomena" has to be proven, the other needs further investigation.