root cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "root cause of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing the main or underlying reason for something. For example: - The root cause of the company's financial struggles was poor management. - She went to therapy to address the root cause of her anxiety. - The root cause of the conflict was a lack of communication between the two parties. - Science is focused on finding the root cause of diseases in order to develop effective treatments. - In order to solve the problem, we need to identify and address the root cause.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is the root cause of delays.

The New York Times

This is the root cause of the security problem.

The New York Times

"Musharraf is the root cause of all problems".

The New York Times

Consider just one supposed root cause of Islamic terrorism: poverty.

The New York Times - Arts

The root cause of obesity in American isn't Coca-Cola.

The New York Times

The root cause of the problem is press unaccountability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inequality is the root cause of social immobility.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was the root cause of my complaint".

The Guardian

Could this be the root cause of the credit crunch?

The Guardian - Opinion

Division, however, isn't the root cause of our unworkable system.

The Washington Post

A root cause of the problem is education.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "root cause of", ensure you've thoroughly investigated the issue to identify the true underlying factor, not just a superficial symptom.

Common error

Avoid addressing only the symptoms of a problem. Always dig deeper to identify and tackle the actual "root cause of" the issue for a lasting solution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "root cause of" functions as a causal connector, linking a problem or effect to its fundamental underlying origin. Ludwig examples show it used to pinpoint the basic reason behind various issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "root cause of" serves as a crucial tool for identifying the fundamental origin of problems and issues. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure thorough investigation to pinpoint the true underlying factor rather than just addressing superficial symptoms. Alternatives like "underlying cause of" or "primary reason for" offer similar meanings, but "root cause of" specifically emphasizes the foundational element. Remember, addressing the "root cause of" leads to more effective and long-lasting solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying cause of

Replaces "root" with "underlying", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the cause.

principal cause of

Uses "principal" to denote the most important or dominant cause.

fundamental reason for

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the reason.

primary reason for

Shifts focus to the reason instead of the cause, suggesting a more deliberate or intentional origin.

core issue behind

Focuses on the central problem or matter at hand.

main source of

Emphasizes the origin or starting point of something, rather than its causal relationship.

chief driver of

Implies a force or impetus behind something, suggesting a more active role.

origin of

Simplifies the phrase to indicate the starting point or beginning of something.

source of

Identifies where something originates or comes from.

genesis of

Uses a more formal term to indicate the beginning or creation of something.

FAQs

How do I use "root cause of" in a sentence?

Use "root cause of" to identify the fundamental reason something occurs. For example, "The "root cause of" the problem was a lack of communication."

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

Alternatives include "underlying cause of", "primary reason for", or "main source of" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "root cause of" and "direct cause of"?

"Root cause of" refers to the fundamental, underlying reason, while "direct cause of" refers to the immediate reason an event occurred. The "root cause of" may be several steps removed from the event itself.

Is it better to address the "root cause of" or the symptoms of a problem?

Addressing the "root cause of" a problem leads to a lasting solution, while treating symptoms only provides temporary relief and does not prevent the problem from recurring.