reason of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reason of death" is not correct in standard written English; the correct phrase is "cause of death." You can use it in contexts related to medical reports, legal documents, or discussions about mortality.
Example: "The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack after the autopsy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

That law was intended to make it easier for people to register to vote, but it included a provision to keep voter rolls accurate, which requires states to "conduct a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove the names" of voters who are ineligible "by reason of" death or change of residence.

The New Yorker

Cancer is an important reason of death worldwide.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

It goes on to say: "Depending on the reason of death and the events leading up to the incident there may be some concerns raised by the Mother on Day 63 (21 May 2013) which she may revisit".

The Guardian

However, he said, RNC guidelines authorize members "to fill any and all vacancies which may occur by reason of death, declination, or otherwise of the Republican candidate for president".

The Guardian

There is a ready measure of what is appropriate in the exit package that the Halliburton Company is giving Dick Cheney, the Republican nominee for vice president: What would he receive upon termination by reason of death or disability?

The New York Times

The federal succession statute clearly assigns the powers and duties of the Presidency to the Speaker of the House "[i]f, by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, inability, or failure to qualify, there is neither a President nor Vice President". But serious questions lurk at a deeper level-questions about the constitutionality of the succession statute itself.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

All these evidence suggested that the traditional OA administration caused fluctuation of Psa, which possibly serves as the underlying reason of deaths of two animals.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Nevertheless newspapers, radio and TV pay more attention to the narcotic and other causes victims than that of the ear accidents which is the main reason of deaths among the young.

Critical Care

We don't know the reason or cause of death.

The New York Times - Sports

If a final diagnosis could not be made for any reason, the cause of death was coded as "unknown".

British Medical Journal

In patients where intensive care was withdrawn due to neurological reasons the cause of death was assessed as due to neurological reasons.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "reason of death" is frequently used, especially in less formal contexts, prioritize using the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase "cause of death" in formal writing and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "reason" when "cause" is more appropriate. "Cause of death" refers to the direct factor leading to death, while "reason" implies a more general explanation. Use "cause" unless you're referring to a less direct or more abstract explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason of death" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the explanation or justification for why someone died. While Ludwig shows numerous examples, Ludwig AI suggests that "cause of death" is grammatically preferable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reason of death" is frequently encountered but often considered grammatically questionable, with "cause of death" being the preferred alternative. Although Ludwig shows its usage in diverse contexts, including scientific articles and news reports, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not the most grammatically correct choice. Therefore, while understandable and commonly used, especially in informal settings, it's best to opt for "cause of death" in formal writing and professional communication to ensure grammatical precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause of death

This alternative is more grammatically sound and widely accepted in formal contexts.

primary cause of death

This alternative specifies the main cause when multiple factors are involved.

underlying cause of death

This alternative emphasizes the primary factor that initiated the chain of events leading to death.

proximate cause of death

This alternative emphasizes the event that was the most direct and immediate cause of death.

manner of death

This alternative focuses on how the death occurred (e.g., natural, accidental, homicide, suicide).

fatal condition

This alternative is more clinical term referring to the condition that resulted in death.

circumstances of death

This alternative broadens the scope to include surrounding events or conditions that contributed to the death.

etiology of death

This is a more formal and clinical term referring to the origin or cause of the death.

mechanism of death

This alternative refers to the physiological or biological process that resulted in death.

lethal factor

This alternative is a more direct and forceful way of stating the cause of death.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "reason of death"?

The more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase is "cause of death". While "reason of death" is used, "cause of death" is preferred in formal writing.

Is "reason of death" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "reason of death" is often considered less grammatically precise than "cause of death". Ludwig AI indicates that "cause of death" is the preferred and grammatically sound option.

What's the difference between "reason of death" and "cause of death"?

"Cause of death" refers to the direct factor that led to someone's death. "Reason of death", while understandable, is a less precise way to describe it and can be considered grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. Use "cause" for medical or official reporting.

When should I use "cause of death" instead of "reason of death"?

Use "cause of death" in formal settings, medical reports, legal documents, and any context where precision is important. "Reason of death" may be acceptable in informal conversations, but is generally discouraged in writing.