source of the fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "source of the fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or cause of a fire in various contexts, such as investigations or safety reports. Example: "The firefighters were able to determine the source of the fire was an electrical malfunction in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The source of the fire was not clear tonight.

The New York Times

The IDF responded by targeting the source of the fire".

The New Yorker

Today we fired toward the source of the fire".

The New York Times

Radios crackled with urgent efforts to identify the source of the fire.

The New York Times

The IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] responded by targeting the source of the fire".

Independent

The Israeli army said the source of the fire was uncertain and it was investigating.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari said the government hasn't apologized for the shelling from Syria because it is waiting for the outcome of an investigation on the source of the firing.

Independent

No-one was injured in that attack and the source of the firing was never established.

BBC

This burning has had major global impacts and has caused air pollution in tropical regions far away from the source of the fires.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The source of that fire was the 787's lithium Ion battery pack.

BBC

In Los Angeles in 1961, houses on fire in Bel Air were the sources of the fire that burned houses in Brentwood a mile away: residential structures facilitated the fire's spread.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about fire investigations, clearly state whether the "source of the fire" is confirmed or still under investigation to avoid misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid stating the presumed "source of the fire" as a fact before an official investigation confirms it. Use phrases like "suspected source" or "potential cause" to indicate uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "source of the fire" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the origin or cause of a fire, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, indicating its role in investigations or reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "source of the fire" is a common noun phrase used to denote the origin or cause of a fire. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and general sources. Related phrases include "origin of the fire" and "cause of the fire". When using this phrase, be sure to clearly state whether the source is confirmed or suspected, and avoid making assumptions before an official investigation. Understanding the proper usage helps ensure clarity and accuracy in writing about fire-related incidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

origin of the fire

Replaces "source" with "origin", focusing on the point from which the fire began.

cause of the fire

Substitutes "source" with "cause", emphasizing the reason or event that initiated the fire.

ignition point of the fire

Specifies the exact location or event where the fire started.

starting point of the fire

Focuses on the initial location where the fire began to burn.

initial cause of the blaze

Uses "blaze" as a synonym for "fire" and emphasizes the primary factor.

root cause of the fire

Highlights the fundamental reason behind the fire's occurrence.

reason for the fire

Simplifies the phrase to directly ask for the reason behind the fire.

point of origin of the fire

Combines elements of location and beginning to describe the fire's start.

inciting incident of the fire

Refers to the event or action that triggered the fire.

genesis of the fire

Uses a more formal term, "genesis", to indicate the beginning or creation of the fire.

FAQs

How can I use "source of the fire" in a sentence?

You can use "source of the fire" to describe the origin or cause of a fire, such as in the sentence, "Investigators are still determining the "source of the fire" after the incident at the warehouse."

What's the difference between "origin of the fire" and "source of the fire"?

While both phrases are similar, "origin of the fire" often refers to the location where the fire started, while ""source of the fire"" can refer to the cause or mechanism that ignited the fire.

What are some alternative phrases for "source of the fire"?

Alternatives include "cause of the fire", "ignition point", or "starting point of the fire", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to use "source of the blaze" instead of "source of the fire"?

Yes, "source of the blaze" is a correct and acceptable alternative. "Blaze" is a synonym for "fire", making the phrases interchangeable. However, "blaze" often implies a larger or more intense fire.