source cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "source cause" is not a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
You could use the phrase "root cause," or "cause of the problem," or a phrase of similar meaning. Example: We are still trying to determine the root cause of the issue.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Heavy rains at the river's source cause sudden, but short-lived, floods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Monitoring is followed by diagnosis of the source cause(s) of any disturbance.

Handbook of Water and Energy Management in Food Processing

While this information can give a general idea or a hint of overcommitment of the CPU, it does not report the actual impact on the running threads nor the source cause of preemption.

Journal of Cloud Computing

This question too is misleading, since if any of the elements of the grateful response are obligatory, then technically, it would be the benefactor's φ-ing that would be the source (cause or basis) of the obligations, not the beneficiary's response itself.

SEP

Thus, Cantillon also held that increases in the supply of money, regardless of the source, cause increases in the price level and therefore reduce the competitiveness of a particular nation's industry in relation to a nation with lower prices.

Wikipedia

The figure shows that Qrr sRNAs produced from any source cause repression of the qrr– lux promoter fusions.

EMBO Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The source causes the parameter to grow when the particle enters a shock and the decay term causes it to decay to a small value beyond the shock.

Journal of Computational Physics

Not all available energy sources have been utilized efficiently, while, the energy source causing the largest emission of CO2 is being used in the largest amount.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Even though actual noise-related effects were experienced, the degree of subjective annoyance may be determined by the type of noise source causing the effects.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

High dependency of oil viscosity on fluid nature and fluid source causes the unique application of these correlations to special cases from which they have been derived.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Finite temperature difference between the external fluids and the working fluids through the heat sink and heat source causes an external irreversibility.

Energy Conversion and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "source cause", opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "root cause" or "underlying cause" for clarity and precision.

Common error

The term "source cause" can be redundant. Using just "cause" or specifying the type of cause (e.g. "root cause", "primary cause") provides a clearer and more concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "source cause", while present in some texts, functions as a noun phrase that attempts to identify the origin or reason behind a specific event or problem. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The examples show contexts where alternative formulations might be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "source cause" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The intended meaning is to identify the origin or reason behind something, but more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "root cause" or "underlying cause" are generally preferred. Though present in some scientific and news sources, it leans toward informal usage. Therefore, it's best to opt for clearer and more concise expressions to avoid redundancy and ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root cause

Emphasizes the fundamental or most basic cause of a problem.

underlying cause

Highlights a cause that is not immediately obvious or apparent.

primary cause

Indicates the main or most significant cause among several contributing factors.

originating cause

Stresses the initial event or factor that led to a particular outcome.

causal agent

Focuses on the entity or factor directly responsible for causing a specific effect.

reason for

Offers a more general way to inquire or explain the cause or explanation.

genesis of

Emphasizes the beginning or creation of something, highlighting the initial cause.

antecedent

Focuses on a preceding event or cause that influences a subsequent event.

etiology

Specifically refers to the cause or origin of a disease or condition.

the why

An informal and concise way to ask for the reason or cause behind something.

FAQs

What is a better alternative to "source cause"?

More appropriate alternatives include "root cause", "underlying cause", or simply "cause", depending on the context.

Is "source cause" grammatically correct?

No, "source cause" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "the cause" or specify the type of cause, such as "main reason".

When should I use "root cause" instead of "source cause"?

Use "root cause" when you want to emphasize the fundamental or most basic cause of a problem, rather than just any contributing factor.

What's the difference between "source" and "cause"?

"Source" refers to where something originates or comes from, while "cause" refers to the reason or explanation for why something happens. Therefore, using them together as "source cause" can be redundant or grammatically awkward.