probably caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting an explanation or cause for something. For example, "The malfunction was probably caused by a software update."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My miscarriages were probably caused by similar problems.

The New York Times - Magazine

The infection is most probably caused by a virus.

The New Yorker

All were probably caused by geological events or asteroids.

The Economist

There were 5 late deaths, 1 probably caused by shunt failure.

Stanford University

This was probably caused by a dilution effect induced by great increment of carbohydrate in grains.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

This is probably caused by limitations of the experimental data at hand.

Journal of Biomechanics

The non-first order breakage was most probably caused by the heterogeneity of the material.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

This high reduction is probably caused by the concentration of technical interventions at intersections.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

This is most probably caused by the stronger influence of precipitation from the Mediterranean area.

Procedia Earth and Planetary Science

Structural failure was probably caused by a combination of factors that are not yet well understood.

Engineering Failure Analysis

High predation pressure at forest edges was probably caused by both forest and open-landscape predators.

Acta Oecologica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "probably caused by", ensure that the evidence supports the likelihood, even if it's not definitive proof. Avoid overstating the certainty of the cause.

Common error

Avoid using "probably caused by" when there's little to no evidence supporting the claim. Instead, use more tentative language like "may be related to" or "could be associated with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably caused by" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its presumed cause. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts to suggest a likely, but not definitively proven, relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably caused by" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for indicating likely causation with inherent uncertainty. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's correctness and widespread use across diverse domains, including science, news, and academia. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, it's important to ensure sufficient evidence supports the suggested cause to avoid misattribution. Alternatives like "likely due to" and "most likely attributed to" offer subtle variations in emphasis and formality. When using "probably caused by", exercise careful consideration of the context and available evidence to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely due to

Emphasizes the likelihood of a specific cause.

most likely attributed to

More formal; suggests an inferred cause.

may be the result of

Indicates possibility rather than probability.

plausibly linked to

Suggests a reasonable connection but not certainty.

potentially stems from

Implies origin or derivation.

could be a consequence of

Focuses on the outcome or result of something.

is believed to arise from

Suggests a commonly held opinion or theory.

might be explained by

Offers a potential explanation or rationale.

conceivably originates in

Highlights the possible origin of something.

arguably a product of

Suggests that the cause is open to debate or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "probably caused by" in a sentence?

You can use "probably caused by" to suggest a likely reason or origin for something. For example, "The delay was "probably caused by" bad weather".

What are some alternatives to saying "probably caused by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "likely due to", "most likely attributed to", or "may be the result of depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "probably caused by" in formal writing?

Yes, "probably caused by" is appropriate in formal writing when presenting a well-reasoned but not definitively proven explanation. Ensure your claim is supported by available evidence.

What's the difference between "probably caused by" and "definitely caused by"?

"Probably caused by" suggests a strong likelihood but not certainty, while "definitely caused by" indicates that the cause has been proven beyond any doubt.