not caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not the result of a specific cause or factor. Example: "The symptoms of the illness were not caused by a viral infection, but rather by an allergic reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most are not caused by dark matter.

The Economist

Rape is not caused by pornography.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This decision is not caused by Brexit.

The Guardian - Business

But schizophrenia is not caused by hormones.

The Guardian - Opinion

Addiction is not caused by drug availability.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problems of our economy are not caused by immigration.

University of California, Berkeley

That war was not caused by the emperor alone.

Stanford University

In some cases, cervicitis is not caused by infection.

Harvard University

It's not caused by big increases in the welfare state.

The New York Times

"It was not caused by an exchange of gunfire".

The New York Times

Or, if not caused by us, certainly made worse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not caused by", ensure the context clearly indicates what the actual cause or source is, or at least provides alternative possibilities for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two events occur together, one "is not caused by" the other. Always verify that no causal link exists before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not caused by" functions as a causal negation. It's used to explicitly deny a specific cause for a particular event, condition, or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not caused by" is a versatile and frequently used expression for explicitly denying a specific cause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It serves to correct misconceptions, clarify origins, and redirect attention to the actual causes of events. While appropriate for various contexts, it's essential to clearly indicate the actual or alternative causes to enhance clarity. Common mistakes include confusing correlation with causation, so always verify causal links. According to the analyzed data, "not caused by" is most prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts, making it a valuable tool for precise communication in these domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a result of

Uses "result" instead of "cause", focusing on the outcome rather than the process.

not due to

Employs "due to" to specify the reason, offering a slightly more formal tone.

not a consequence of

Highlights the outcome as a result of something else, rather than the direct cause.

not attributed to

Replaces "caused by" with "attributed to", indicating assignment of a reason or source.

not brought about by

Uses "brought about" to emphasize the process of causation.

not triggered by

Suggests a triggering event as the cause, which is more specific than a general cause.

not initiated by

Focuses on the start or initiation of an event, rather than the overall cause.

not prompted by

Indicates that something did not instigate or encourage the occurrence.

not generated by

Emphasizes the creation or production aspect of causation.

not stemming from

Uses a metaphor to suggest origin or derivation, offering a less direct causal link.

FAQs

How can I use "not caused by" in a sentence?

Use "not caused by" to specify that a particular factor is not the reason for an event or condition. For example, "The decline in sales was "not caused by" poor marketing, but by external economic factors".

What are some alternatives to "not caused by"?

Alternatives include "not due to", "not a result of", or "not attributed to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "not caused by X, but by Y"?

No, it is not redundant. Specifying both what is "not caused by" and what the actual cause is provides clarity and strengthens your argument. For instance, "The problem was "not caused by" a lack of funding, but by inefficient management".

Can "not caused by" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "not caused by" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, phrases like "not attributed to" or "not due to" might be preferred for a more sophisticated tone.