primary cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary cause" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example: "The primary cause of the delay was due to long processing times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The primary cause was germs.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A Primary Cause of Partisanship?

Princeton University

Its primary cause is unclear.

Journal of Integrative Medicine

The primary cause of those losses is well known.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Ian Kerr is not the primary cause of this.

The Guardian - Business

Obama has said redistricting will be his primary cause.

The Washington Post

The other primary cause of salivary dysfunction is radiation therapy.

Nature

In each case, porosity was the primary cause for failure.

International Journal of Fatigue

Primary cause of death was disease progression (10%).

Harvard University

Single-family housing was the primary cause of land conversion.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Hyperglycemia is considered a primary cause of diabetic vascular complications.

Nitric Oxide

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary cause", ensure you provide sufficient evidence to support your claim, as it implies the most significant factor among others.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "primary cause" as the only cause. Acknowledge that other contributing factors may also be involved, even if they are less significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies the most significant factor that leads to a specific outcome or event. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary cause" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the most significant factor contributing to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Analysis of usage contexts reveals its prevalence in scientific and news media, and academic writing, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to support the assertion with sufficient evidence and avoid overstating its exclusivity, recognizing the potential influence of other contributing factors. For related expressions, alternatives include "main reason", "chief factor", and "leading factor", each offering subtle nuances in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

Focuses on the reasoning behind something, rather than the direct cause.

chief factor

Emphasizes the most important element contributing to a situation.

leading factor

Highlights the factor that has the most influence.

root cause

Identifies the fundamental, underlying reason for a problem.

principal reason

Similar to main reason, but can imply a more formal context.

major contributing factor

Emphasizes the contribution to a specific outcome.

key driver

Implies a force that propels or motivates a particular result.

central reason

Highlights the reason at the center of a situation.

mainspring

Suggests the essential motivating force behind an event or action.

underlying cause

Points to a less obvious, fundamental reason.

FAQs

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

Use "primary cause" to identify the most significant factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. For example: "The "primary cause" of the accident was determined to be speeding."

What are some alternatives to using "primary cause"?

You can use alternatives like "main reason", "chief factor", or "leading factor" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "root cause" and "primary cause"?

"Root cause" refers to the fundamental, underlying reason for a problem, whereas "primary cause" indicates the most significant factor, which may be more immediate. The "root cause" could be less obvious than the "primary cause".

Is it appropriate to use "primary cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "primary cause" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to identify the most important factor contributing to a specific outcome in academic, scientific, or professional contexts.