principal cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main reason or primary factor behind an event or situation. Example: "The principal cause of the accident was determined to be driver negligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Principal cause, not principle.

The New York Times

Though overpopulation is a principal cause of both, it is rarely mentioned in relation to them.

The New York Times

The principal cause of PTSD is exposure to an extremely stressful, often life-threatening, event.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in this country, the principal cause of abortions isn't that we can't get birth control.

The New York Times

Asthma is the principal cause of school absences among children, according to the American Lung Association.

The New York Times

Its principal cause is a civil war between the south & the north.

The New Yorker

"A principal cause is their common ownership by BAA," the commission said.

The New York Times

That was the principal cause of the overall decrease in health insurance coverage".

The New York Times

Ultraviolet B, or U.V.B., radiation is the principal cause of sunburn.

The New York Times - Science

Few journalists seem able to understand flawed research design, a principal cause of untrustworthy research.

The Washington Post

That housing disaster remains the principal cause of the current low-income housing shortage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal cause", ensure it accurately reflects the most significant factor and is supported by evidence. Avoid oversimplifying complex situations by attributing them to a single cause without considering other contributing elements.

Common error

A common error is using "principle" instead of "principal". Remember that "principal" refers to the main or most important thing, while "principle" refers to a fundamental belief or rule. For example: The "principal cause" of the error was a misunderstanding of the guiding principle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal cause" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most significant reason or factor contributing to a specific event, situation, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, as evidenced by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for identifying the main reason or factor behind an event or situation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, with neutral-to-formal register. To avoid confusion, remember to use "principal", not "principle". Consider alternatives such as "main reason" or "primary factor" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

Focuses on the reason aspect, simplifying the terminology.

primary factor

Emphasizes the element contributing most significantly.

chief reason

Highlights the top-most reason.

leading factor

Stresses the guidance that the factor provides.

main contributing factor

Adds emphasis on the aspect of contribution.

primary driver

Implies the main force behind an event or result.

root cause

Points to the fundamental origin of a problem.

major determinant

Emphasizes the decisive nature of the cause.

key source

Highlights the origin or starting point.

central reason

Indicates the reason at the core of a situation.

FAQs

How to use "principal cause" in a sentence?

The phrase "principal cause" is used to identify the main reason or factor behind something. For example: "The principal cause of the accident was determined to be speeding."

What can I say instead of "principal cause"?

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

Which is correct, "principal cause" or "principle cause"?

"Principal cause" is correct. "Principle" refers to a fundamental belief or rule, while "principal" refers to the main or most important thing.

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

"Principal cause" refers to the main contributing factor, while "root cause" refers to the fundamental, underlying reason. The "root cause" is often less obvious and requires deeper analysis.