plausible cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plausible cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a reason or explanation that seems reasonable or believable for a particular event or situation. Example: "The investigation revealed a plausible cause for the accident, which was attributed to mechanical failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hemorrhoids might be a plausible cause of FP results.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

An increased ocean heat flux is the most plausible cause of the observed thinning.

Nature

Although reactivation of latently infected CMV is another plausible cause, no direct evidence has been documented.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Unrecognized warm ischemia during conventional MOR is a plausible cause of DGF in kidneys from multiple-organ donors.

Stanford University

The official report attributed the crew's "lack of alertness" as the most plausible cause of the navigational error.

The New Yorker

Digenic predisposition has been described in other conditions11 and is a plausible cause of some cases of Fanconi anemia.

Nature

Although an extraterrestrial source is favored for the noble metal enrichment, the most plausible cause of the fractionation is by regional hydrothermal/metasomatic alteration.

Stanford University

But there is a much more plausible cause: Mr. Gore supports reproductive rights and choices for women, and George W. Bush does not.

The New York Times

A plausible cause for the decrease on the higher concentration side is the discharge of adsorbed SO42− (or HSO4−) eventually yielding persulphate.

Electrochimica Acta

The data obtained by XRD, XPS, and HAADF showed that the evolution of chlorinated species in the catalytic system were the plausible cause of this behavior.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

An increase in temperature due to the exothermic cathode reaction is considered a plausible cause of cathode water loss via evaporation.

Journal of Power Sources

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plausible cause", ensure that you can articulate the reasoning behind its plausibility. Avoid presenting it as a definitive explanation without supporting evidence.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "plausible cause" as a confirmed fact. Instead, frame it as a hypothesis or potential explanation that requires further investigation or support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plausible cause" functions as a noun phrase, where 'plausible' modifies 'cause'. It indicates a reason or explanation that appears to be likely or credible. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

14%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plausible cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous real-world examples. It serves to introduce a reason or explanation that appears likely, based on available evidence, but is not necessarily definitive. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in science, news, and academic writing, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While useful for suggesting potential explanations, be mindful of avoiding overstatements of certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that using this expression is correct, so, consider leveraging alternative phrases like "likely reason" or "credible explanation" depending on the context for optimal clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credible explanation

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the explanation.

likely reason

Highlights the probability or likelihood of the reason being true.

tenable explanation

Implies the explanation is defensible and can be maintained against scrutiny.

reasonable explanation

Suggests the explanation is logical and makes sense.

possible explanation

Indicates that the explanation is one potential option.

conceivable reason

Highlights that the reason is capable of being imagined or grasped mentally.

potential cause

Focuses on the possibility that something could be the origin of an event.

feasible reason

Emphasizes that the reason is practical and achievable.

arguable cause

Suggests there's a basis for arguing the cause is valid.

colorable cause

Indicates an appearance of a valid cause that might stand up to scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "plausible cause" in a sentence?

You can use "plausible cause" to suggest a reasonable explanation for an event or phenomenon. For example, "The investigation revealed a "plausible cause" for the malfunction."

What are some alternatives to "plausible cause"?

Alternatives include "likely reason", "credible explanation", or "reasonable explanation" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "plausible cause" and "possible cause"?

"Plausible cause" suggests a higher degree of likelihood or believability than "possible cause". A "possible cause" is simply one that could conceivably be true, whereas a "plausible cause" seems more likely given the available information.

When is it appropriate to use the term "plausible cause" in writing?

Use "plausible cause" when you want to propose a reason or explanation that seems reasonable based on the available evidence, but hasn't been definitively proven. It's suitable for contexts where you're discussing potential explanations rather than established facts.