principal cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal cause of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to identify the main reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The principal cause of the decline in sales was attributed to the recent economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

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

The New York Times

But that didn't prevent Reagan's victory and wasn't a principal cause of McCain's defeat.

The New York Times

He was the principal cause of the death of the god Balder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Entitlements, at nearly 60%, are the principal cause of long-term spending growth (see chart 2).

The Economist

Just as the fishing industry is the principal cause of the loss of wildlife at sea, the farming industry is the principal cause of the loss of wildlife on land.

The Guardian

The accumulating evidence has convinced most critics that the Civil Rights Act was a principal cause of black progress.

The New York Times

The simple answer is that in the end Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, was the principal cause of the failure.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be prepared to provide evidence or support for identifying something as the "principal cause". Strong claims require strong support.

Common error

Avoid using "principal cause of" when other significant contributing factors exist. If multiple factors play a significant role, consider using phrases like 'a major cause of' or 'one of the primary causes of' to avoid oversimplification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal cause of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant factor leading to a specific outcome or situation. It introduces the reason behind a result, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "principal cause of" is a grammatically correct and very common way to denote the main reason behind a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used across various domains, particularly in science and news. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the effect being discussed and be prepared to support the claim with evidence. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "main reason for" and "primary factor in", "principal cause of" remains a strong and effective choice for emphasizing the most significant factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason for

Emphasizes the primary reason or justification for something.

primary factor in

Highlights the most important element contributing to a result.

chief contributor to

Focuses on the main entity or element responsible for an effect.

leading driver of

Implies a force that propels or strongly influences an outcome.

major determinant of

Highlights the most significant factor that decides or controls something.

key reason for

Indicates an essential or crucial cause.

central factor in

Highlights the most important or fundamental element contributing to a result.

root cause of

Emphasizes the fundamental or underlying reason for something.

primary source of

Focuses on the origin or starting point of something.

most important cause of

Directly states the significance of the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "principal cause of" in a sentence?

The phrase "principal cause of" is used to indicate the main reason or factor that leads to a particular outcome. For example, "The principal cause of the accident was speeding."

What's a good alternative to "principal cause of"?

You can use alternatives like "main reason for", "primary factor in", or "leading driver of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primary cause of" instead of "principal cause of"?

Yes, "primary cause of" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "principal cause of". Both phrases indicate the main or most significant cause, but "primary" can sometimes suggest a more fundamental or initial cause.

When should I use "principal cause of" versus "a contributing factor to"?

"Principal cause of" should be used when identifying the single most significant factor. Use "a contributing factor to" when discussing one of several factors that collectively led to an outcome.