significant cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors that have a notable impact or influence on a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The researchers identified a significant cause of the decline in bee populations, linking it to pesticide use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This is a significant cause for concern".

The New York Times

"It will reduce a significant cause of pollution.

The New York Times

Runoff water is another significant cause of basement water.

The New York Times

This was a significant cause in Robbie's death," he added.

The Guardian - Business

Dr. Stamm's study found that chlamydia was a significant cause of the syndrome.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, traumatic brain injury is a significant cause of death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Is it a significant cause of the present downturn?" Mr. Hormats asked.

The New York Times

Both Joseph and Yogeswaran said the ongoing military presence remains a significant cause of insecurity for minority communities.

The Guardian

Research by water utility Anglian Water revealed the disposal of "unflushable" sanitary pads as a significant cause of the problem.

The Guardian

"With financial problems also endemic among hospitals, and staff morale a significant cause for concern, the situation is now critical".

The Guardian

For example there were reports that Kids Company accounts showed significant cause for financial concerns as early as 2010.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant cause", ensure that the context clearly establishes the effect or outcome that the cause is contributing to. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "significant cause" when the impact is minimal or unproven. Overstating the importance can weaken your credibility. Instead, use more neutral terms like "a factor" or "one cause" if the evidence is not conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it's often used to identify a key factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in explaining causes of death, morbidity, financial crises, and more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant cause" is a commonly used noun phrase that clearly indicates a notable factor contributing to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appropriate for formal and informal contexts. As evidenced by the diverse examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in scientific, news, and business writing. While versatile, it's important to ensure that the claimed significance is supported by evidence, avoiding overstatement. Consider alternatives like "major contributing factor" or "key reason" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial cause

Replaces 'significant' with 'substantial', indicating considerable importance.

major contributing factor

Focuses on the 'cause' as a 'contributing factor', emphasizing its role in bringing about a result.

key reason

Substitutes 'cause' with 'reason', highlighting the justification or explanation behind something.

primary driver

Uses 'driver' to convey the sense of something that propels or strongly influences an outcome.

leading factor

Replaces 'significant' with 'leading', indicating a prominent or principal cause.

notable factor

Replaces 'significant' with 'notable' emphasizing the importance of the cause being worthy of attention.

important reason

Replaces 'cause' with 'reason', underscoring the significance of the reason.

main contributor

Highlights the role of the cause as a key contributor to an outcome.

chief factor

Uses 'chief' to emphasize the principal or most important aspect of the cause.

dominant influence

Shifts focus to 'influence', suggesting a prevailing or controlling effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant cause" to indicate a factor that has a notable impact on a particular outcome. For example, "Air pollution is a significant cause of respiratory illnesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "significant cause"?

Alternatives include "major contributing factor", "key reason", or "primary driver", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "significant cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "significant cause" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and concise way to express a notable factor contributing to a particular outcome. Its use is supported by many examples in academic and news sources.

What's the difference between "significant cause" and "possible cause"?

"Significant cause" implies a proven or well-supported connection between a factor and an outcome, whereas "possible cause" suggests a potential relationship that requires further investigation. Use "significant cause" when there's strong evidence.