problem was caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problem was caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to identify the source or reason for a specific issue or difficulty. Example: "The problem was caused by a lack of communication between the departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The problem was caused by cables that got crossed for "unknown reasons".

The Guardian

This time the problem was caused by unfettered capital flows and over-exposed banks.

The Guardian - Business

The Kennel Club said the problem was caused by breeders deliberately breeding dogs with exaggerated features.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The problem was caused by a "hole" in the main runway, the Crawley News reported.

The Guardian

That problem was caused by "an unfortunate handling of an error condition," Facebook explained in a blogpost.

The Guardian - Tech

May said the problem was caused by a "very, very high" level of applications at the beginning of 2014.

The Guardian

The power company, now part of Alliant Energy, said the problem was caused by poor wiring on the Martins farm.

The New York Times

He said the problem was caused by the egg-shaped bone crushing tissue underneath it over time.

The New York Times

Apparently the problem was caused by the fact "Madame Fancy Pants" couldn't stop staring at the camera!

Independent

Land Securities and Canary Wharf said the problem was caused by the current elevation of the sun with the issue expected to last for two to three weeks.

The Guardian

Mitsui originally argued that it should not have to pay its share of the costs on the grounds that the problem was caused by BP negligence.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While the phrase is generally acceptable, more formal or technical contexts might benefit from alternatives like "issue stemmed from".

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "problem was caused by" as it can sometimes weaken your writing. In some cases, switching to an active voice can make the sentence more direct and impactful, for example, 'Poor wiring caused the problem'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problem was caused by" functions as a causal connector, linking an issue or difficulty to its origin or source. It serves to explain the reason behind a particular problem, as demonstrated by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "problem was caused by" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used causal connector. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for indicating the origin of an issue across various contexts. While most frequent in News & Media and Science, you can find it also in the business category, this expression might be better replaced in formal contexts with alternatives like "issue stemmed from". Remember to use it carefully and in the right context to prevent misinterpretation and to add more clarity. Consider using the active voice when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the problem was due to

A common and direct alternative, indicating causation.

the problem was a result of

States the problem as an outcome of a specific cause.

the source of the problem was

Emphasizes the source as the cause of the problem.

issue stemmed from

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue' and uses 'stemmed from' to indicate origin.

the root of the problem was

Uses 'root' to highlight the fundamental cause of the problem.

the problem can be attributed to

Attributes the problem to a specific cause or factor.

difficulty arose from

Substitutes 'problem' with 'difficulty' and 'arose from' for a slightly more formal tone.

the underlying cause of the problem was

Highlights the hidden or less obvious cause.

the problem originated in

Focuses on the origin of the problem.

the reason for the problem was

Rephrases to emphasize the reason behind the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "problem was caused by" in a sentence?

Use "problem was caused by" to explain the origin of an issue. For instance, "The network outage "problem was caused by" a server malfunction."

What are some alternatives to "problem was caused by"?

You can use phrases such as "issue stemmed from", "difficulty arose from", or "the problem was due to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing the cause of a problem?

While "problem was caused by" is grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "Faulty wiring caused the fire") can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful.

What's the difference between "problem was caused by" and "problem resulted from"?

Both phrases are similar, but "problem resulted from" might suggest a more direct and immediate consequence, while "problem was caused by" can refer to a more general or underlying cause.