root cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"root cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to the primary reason for some undesired result. For example: "After a thorough investigation, the team found the root cause of the systemwide outage to be a faulty router."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The root cause?

The Washington Post

Diagnose the root cause.

Harvard Business Review

"Education is a root cause.

The New York Times

Unemployment is a root cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ideology is the root cause.

The Guardian

Just not the root cause.

University of California, Berkeley

But the root cause is not.

The Economist

That is the root cause of delays.

The New York Times

Accelerating Chinese demand is the root cause.

The New York Times

But the root cause is simple enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is not the root cause.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When investigating problems, always dig deeper than the surface symptoms. Identifying the "root cause" allows you to implement effective, long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Common error

Avoid addressing only the immediate symptoms of a problem without identifying the "root cause". Treating symptoms provides temporary relief, but the underlying issue will persist and likely resurface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "root cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies the fundamental reason or origin of a problem or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "root cause" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe the fundamental reason behind a problem or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase across various contexts. Its primary function is to identify and explain the origin of issues, and while it appears in formal and scientific settings, it's also prevalent in news and media. When writing, it's essential to focus on the true "root cause" rather than merely addressing superficial symptoms, so as to have effective long-term solutions. Semantically related alternatives include "underlying reason", "primary driver", and "core issue", offering writers flexibility in their word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying reason

Focuses on the fundamental explanation, similar to "root cause" but emphasizes the reasoning aspect.

primary driver

Highlights the main factor that propels or influences a situation, differing slightly from the static nature of a cause.

fundamental basis

Emphasizes the groundwork or foundation upon which something is built or originates.

core issue

Identifies the central problem or concern, akin to "root cause" but often used in a more general sense.

key factor

Points out a significant element contributing to a result, broadening the scope from a singular cause.

originating factor

Stresses the element from which something begins or arises, providing a sense of initiation.

source of the problem

Pinpoints where a difficulty originates, shifting the focus towards the problematic nature of the situation.

proximate cause

Highlights the most direct cause, but do not confuse it with the ultimate "root cause".

genesis of the issue

Emphasizes the beginning or creation of the problem, often used in more formal contexts.

causal agent

Identifies the entity or force that produces an effect, offering a more scientific or technical perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "root cause" in a sentence?

The phrase "root cause" is typically used to identify the fundamental reason behind a problem. For example, "The investigation revealed that poor training was the "root cause" of the errors."

What are some alternatives to "root cause"?

You can use alternatives like "underlying reason", "primary driver", or "core issue" depending on the specific context.

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

"Proximate cause" refers to the most immediate cause of an event, while "root cause" is the fundamental, underlying reason that initiated the chain of events. The "root cause" is often less obvious and requires deeper investigation.

Is it correct to use "root causes" instead of "root cause"?

Yes, you can use "root causes" if there are multiple fundamental reasons contributing to a problem. For example, "Several "root causes" were identified during the analysis of the system failure."