predominant cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"predominant cause" is a correct and valid phrase that is used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to the cause of something that is most significant or influential. For example, you could say "The predominant cause of the rise in global temperatures was greenhouse gas emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the past century of wartime conflict, explosive devices have escalated to become the predominant cause of military casualties.

The New Yorker

Boredom is the predominant cause of inner city violence, because, tragically, violence is exciting.

Independent

As mentioned above, habitat loss is widely listed as the predominant cause of extinction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The predominant cause of the fires was from cooking equipment, though arson accounted for 16% of the fires – about 280 churches per year.

The Guardian

Cavitation erosion (CE) is the predominant cause for the failure of overflow components in fluid machinery.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

However, cyclic creep/ratcheting, particularly for Rc=10 and 37, was a predominant cause of failure.

International Journal of Fatigue

It is the predominant cause of haemolytic anaemia in people of northern European descent.

Inorganica Chimica Acta

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the predominant cause of severe entero-pathogenic diarrhea in swine.

Antiviral Research

Shigella flexneri is a Gram-negative enteric pathogen that is the predominant cause of bacillary dysentery.

Journal of Molecular Biology

The predominant cause of fatigue damage for marine structures is usually wave action.

Applied Ocean Research

Prolonged postoperative ileus (POI) is the predominant cause of extended hospitalization after bowel resection surgery.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "predominant cause", ensure that you provide supporting evidence or data to justify why that cause is considered the most significant. Back up your claim with facts and examples.

Common error

Avoid using "predominant cause" when multiple factors contribute significantly. If the cause is not definitively the most influential, use terms like "major factor" or "contributing cause" instead to avoid oversimplification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "predominant cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts such as medicine, environmental science, and engineering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

83%

News & Media

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "predominant cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the most significant factor contributing to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in scientific, news, and media contexts. While alternatives like "primary cause" or "major cause" exist, "predominant cause" emphasizes a higher degree of influence. When employing this phrase, backing up claims with evidence and avoiding overgeneralization are key best practices. Its register is formal and scientific, suitable for academic and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming cause

Emphasizes the scale or impact of the cause.

primary cause

Highlights the order of importance among multiple causes.

major cause

Indicates a cause that is significant in size or effect.

leading cause

Suggests the cause is in the forefront or most prominent.

main cause

Points to the principal or most important factor.

principle cause

Synonymous to main cause, referring to the primary factor.

central cause

Identifies the core or most important factor.

paramount cause

Emphasizes the supreme or highest importance of the cause.

chief cause

Indicates the most important or principal reason.

most significant cause

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "predominant cause" to indicate the main reason or factor behind a particular outcome. For example: "The predominant cause of the company's failure was poor management."

What are some alternatives to "predominant cause"?

Alternatives to "predominant cause" include "primary cause", "major cause", or "leading cause", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "predominant cause" or "main cause"?

"Predominant cause" and "main cause" are often interchangeable, but "predominant" suggests a greater degree of influence or frequency than "main". Choose the term that best reflects the significance of the cause in your specific context.

What is the difference between "predominant cause" and "contributing factor"?

"Predominant cause" refers to the primary or most significant reason for something, while "contributing factor" indicates one of several elements that play a part in an outcome. The former has a stronger implication of direct influence.