the cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the cause of" can be used in written English.
For example: "The cause of the accident has yet to be determined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cause of the problem?

The New York Times

"Push the cause of peace".

The New York Times

And the cause of death?

Independent

The cause of death was leukemia.

The New York Times

The cause of his death remains mysterious.

The New Yorker

The cause of all this chatter?

Independent

The cause of the fire remained unclear.

The New York Times

The cause of death was drowning.

The New York Times

The cause of death was coronary thrombosis.

The New York Times

The cause of death was bacterial sepsis.

The New York Times

The cause of death was pneumonia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the cause of", ensure you clearly identify what is being caused to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the cause of the delay" rather than just "the cause".

Common error

While grammatically correct, frequent repetition of "the cause of" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "the reason for" /s/the+reason+for or rephrasing to use active voice when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the cause of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, acting as a noun phrase. It typically introduces the reason or origin of a particular event, situation, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the cause of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to identify the origin or reason behind a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage and frequency across various reliable sources. While versatile, it's important to use it with clarity and consider synonyms like "the reason for" or "the source of" to prevent monotony. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, "the cause of" serves to bring clarity and understanding by pinpointing the origin of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reason for

Focuses on the justification or explanation behind something rather than the direct instigator.

the source of

Highlights the origin or point of commencement of something.

the origin of

Emphasizes the beginning or genesis of something.

the root of

Implies a deeper, underlying reason or foundation.

the grounds for

Suggests a basis or justification for an action or belief.

the motive for

Highlights the intention or driving force behind an action.

the explanation for

Focuses on providing a clear account or understanding.

the determinant of

Emphasizes the factor that decisively affects or controls an outcome.

the impetus behind

Highlights the driving force or initial motivation.

the wellspring of

Implies a plentiful source or origin.

FAQs

What's a simple way to use "the cause of" in a sentence?

You can use "the cause of" to identify the reason or origin behind an event or situation. For example, "What was "the cause of" the accident?"

What can I say instead of "the cause of"?

You can use alternatives like "the reason for", "the source of", or "the origin of" depending on the context.

How does "the cause of" differ from "the effect of"?

"The cause of" refers to the origin or reason something happens, while "the effect of" refers to the result or consequence. They are opposite sides of a causal relationship.

Is it better to say "cause of" or "the cause of"?

Using "the" before "cause of" is generally preferred when referring to a specific or known cause. "Cause of" without "the" might be used in more general or theoretical contexts, but ""the cause of"" is more common.