significant cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant cause for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a major reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The significant cause for the decline in sales was attributed to the recent economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"This is a significant cause for concern".

The New York Times

"It is a significant cause for concern," he said.

The New York Times

Some also see significant cause for continued concern about al-Qaeda, even in its diminished state.

The Washington Post

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant cause for morbidity and mortality in premature neonates (1).

Nature

Still, there is significant cause for concern that Nipah could spread faster and wider.

Stanford University

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

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

California's high labor costs and strict regulations are significant causes for not attracting manufacturing.

University of California, Berkeley

One of the most significant causes for performance degradation of scientific and engineering applications on high performance computing systems is the uneven distribution of the computational work to the resources of the system.

Parallel Computing

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

The Guardian

Although hindfoot pathology in rheumatoid arthritis is a significant cause of disability for patients, the etiology of the planovalgus deformity is controversial.

Duke University

These are significant causes of risk for businesses in developing countries all over the world.

Bank Risk Management in Developing Economies Addressing the Unique Challenges of Domestic Banks through Risk Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant cause for", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being caused or affected. Be specific about the consequences or implications to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "significant cause for" in very casual or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main reason" or "big factor" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant cause for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a noteworthy reason or origin. It acts as a subject complement or part of a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant cause for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a major reason or factor contributing to a particular outcome. As Ludwig highlights, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal writing. Remember to consider your audience and choose simpler alternatives in very casual contexts. Exploring synonyms like "major contributing factor" or "primary reason" can also enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major contributing factor to

Emphasizes the importance of the factor, similar to "significant cause for", but focuses on the contribution aspect.

primary reason for

Directly states the main reason, offering a more straightforward alternative.

leading cause of

Highlights the prominence of the cause, typically used when discussing problems or issues.

substantial factor in

Similar in meaning, but uses 'substantial' to emphasize the size or importance of the factor.

key reason behind

Focuses on the reason 'behind' something, suggesting a more underlying or fundamental cause.

important determinant of

More formal and emphasizes the role of determining an outcome.

chief contributor to

Highlights the contribution aspect, similar to 'major contributing factor', but uses 'chief' for emphasis.

major factor resulting in

Focuses on the result or outcome caused by the factor.

principal driver of

Implies a driving force or impetus behind a particular event or trend.

noticeable source of

Emphasizes that cause is easily spotted, heard or felt.

FAQs

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

Use "significant cause for" to highlight a major reason or factor that leads to a particular outcome or situation. For example, "The economic downturn was a "significant cause for" the increase in unemployment."

What are some alternatives to "significant cause for"?

Alternatives include "major reason for", "primary cause of", or "key factor in", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "significant cause of" or "significant cause for"?

"Significant cause for" is generally used when explaining the reason behind a situation or feeling, whereas "significant cause of" is used to explain the origin or beginning. You can also use alternative phrases such as "main reason for" or "key factor in", which are semantically related, depending on the context you are writing in.

When is it appropriate to use "significant cause for" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal and professional writing when you need to emphasize a major reason or factor contributing to a specific situation or outcome. However, in more informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives such as "big reason for" or "main thing behind".