tangible cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific, concrete reason or factor that leads to a particular outcome or effect. Example: "The researchers identified a tangible cause for the increase in pollution levels in the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It empathized with David Reynard's search for a tangible cause for his wife's cancer.

The New York Times - Magazine

For those men and women, democracy must seem like a tangible cause around which they can readily rally.

The New Yorker

Not having anything to blame — no sign of road work, police activity, a jackknifed tractor trailer, a bottleneck merge or any other tangible cause.

The New York Times

• The Shanksville runners have a tangible cause — to raise money to complete the memorial in western Pennsylvania where the plane that contained their loved ones broke into smithereens.

The New York Times - Sports

For supporters of the arts, this, perhaps, was the most tangible cause for alarm.

BBC

With these great temporal and spiritual leaders, however, their lives took the form of a missionary single-mindedness in the service of a tangible cause.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It also has more tangible causes.

The New York Times - Books

There are also more tangible causes of DSAS.

The Guardian - Music

At issue was the quantity of resources spent looking at effects in patients' psyches rather than hunting for more tangible causes and effects in their bodies.

The Economist

I can comprehend that sundry people are (were, will ever be) both insensately vindictive and — not wholly unrelated — unhappy with what they perceive in rare encounters with the mirror as failed lives, and are commensurately eager to compose or pursue tangible causes for that in the form of other people with whom they might have had tangential contact a long while since.

The New Yorker

Except for patients lucky enough to be seen by top respected obesity treatment institutions, most obese people are treated for the physical symptoms and tangible causes of their ills--but not the emotional and mental roots.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tangible cause", ensure the cause is clearly defined and easily understood by the audience. Avoid vague or abstract language.

Common error

Don't solely focus on "tangible cause" when analyzing a situation. Intangible factors like emotions, beliefs, or systemic issues can also play significant roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific, concrete reason for an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tangible cause" is a noun phrase used to describe a specific, concrete reason or origin for an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. While "tangible cause" emphasizes a concrete and identifiable explanation, writers should be mindful of intangible factors that may also influence outcomes. Alternatives like "identifiable reason" or "concrete factor" can provide nuanced options based on the intended emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the cause is easily understood and well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identifiable reason

Emphasizes the ease of recognizing the cause.

concrete factor

Highlights the physical or definite nature of the cause.

demonstrable basis

Focuses on the ability to prove or show the cause.

verifiable explanation

Highlights the confirmable nature of the explanation.

evident source

Stresses the obvious or apparent nature of the origin.

clear instigator

Highlights the unambiguous initiator of an event.

distinct trigger

Emphasizes the separate and easily perceived catalyst.

palpable origin

Stresses the perceptible or noticeable start.

ascertainable motive

Highlights the discoverable reason behind an action.

detectable root

Focuses on the discoverable underlying cause.

FAQs

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

Use "tangible cause" when you want to emphasize a specific, concrete reason for something. For example, "The investigation revealed a "tangible cause" for the fire, which was faulty wiring".

What are some alternatives to "tangible cause"?

Alternatives include "identifiable reason", "concrete factor", or "demonstrable basis", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "tangible cause" or "real cause"?

"Tangible cause" emphasizes the concrete and evident nature of the cause, whereas "real cause" simply indicates the genuine reason. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the observability of the cause.

What does "tangible" mean in the context of "tangible cause"?

In this context, "tangible" means perceptible by the senses, especially touch; real or concrete. It indicates that the cause is not abstract or theoretical, but something that can be clearly identified and potentially measured.