substantial cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a significant factor or reason that leads to a particular outcome or effect. Example: "The researchers concluded that the substantial cause of the decline in bee populations was the widespread use of pesticides."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The court also finds that the state's actions are a substantial cause of this constitutional violation.

The New York Times

Never before can I recall the police being alleged to be a substantial cause of mass deaths.

The Guardian - Sport

Lawyers for the bereaved threatened a judicial review, saying it was only necessary to prove management negligence was "a substantial cause".

The Guardian

She has no substantial cause for complaint other than the burning of rails, the noise, tumult, and confusion of the mass of men".

The New York Times

On the important issue of the relationship between brahman (the Absolute) and the world, Bhaskara taught that the two are identical; if, he said, brahman is the substantial cause of the world, then the world itself is real.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the outline of submissions filed on behalf of the minister, the Australian government solicitor explains that the minister did not think the burning of the coal "would be a substantial cause of climate change effects" and would have "no impact on matters of national environmental significance".

The Guardian

When enough of them moved out, or fell on hard times, it was a substantial cause of a series of municipal bankruptcies – as a result of which a number of Californian cities are no longer able to pay the pensions of former state employees.

The Guardian

Gunshot injuries are a substantial cause of vascular damage in the civilian population worldwide.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Also infection of the GIT causing peritonitis is another substantial cause of BIDs.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Inherited diseases caused by unstable repeated DNA sequences are rare, but together represent a substantial cause of morbidity.

The Lancet Neurology

In Africa, forest degradation represents a substantial cause of forest carbon loss, typically carried out for fuel wood collection, charcoal production and expansion of small scale agriculture [14].

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial cause", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a direct and significant link between the cause and effect. Quantify the impact if possible to strengthen the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial cause" if the link between the cause and effect is weak or speculative. Instead, use weaker terms like "possible factor" or "contributing element" to avoid overstating causality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant reason or factor contributing to a specific result or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a widely used and grammatically sound expression. The examples show its frequent application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a significant factor contributing to a specific outcome. As per Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "major contributing factor" or "primary reason", "substantial cause" maintains a formal tone and clearly emphasizes the importance of the cause. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear and direct link between the cause and effect is established, avoiding overstatements of causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major contributing factor

Emphasizes the factor's role in contributing to the outcome.

significant causative agent

Highlights the agent's ability to cause a particular result.

primary reason

Focuses on the main reason behind an event or situation.

key determinant

Implies that the phrase strongly defines or determines an outcome.

critical element

Suggests that the factor is an essential element for an outcome.

chief driver

Highlights the driving force behind an event or situation.

mainspring

Implies the factor is a fundamental motivating force.

root cause

Emphasizes the origin of a problem or effect.

underlying factor

Suggests a factor that might not be immediately obvious.

important influence

Highlights the power the cause has on an outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "substantial cause" to indicate a significant factor that directly contributes to a particular outcome or event. For example, "The widespread use of pesticides was identified as a "substantial cause" of the bee population decline."

What are some alternatives to "substantial cause"?

You can use alternatives like "major contributing factor", "significant causative agent", or "primary reason" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context.

What is the difference between "substantial cause" and "contributing factor"?

"Substantial cause" implies a greater level of significance and direct impact than "contributing factor". While a contributing factor plays a role, a "substantial cause" is a major driver of the outcome.

Is it correct to say "a substantial cause of" or should it be "the substantial cause of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a substantial cause of" is generally used when there are multiple causes, while "the substantial cause of" implies it is the primary or only significant cause.