the cause of that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the cause of that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reason or explanation for a particular situation or event. Example: "The cause of that unexpected delay was a technical issue with the software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't be the cause of that.

HuffPost

The kittens can choke and you don't want to be the cause of that.

WikiHow

The cause of that collision is sports.

The New Yorker

What was the cause of that problem?

The New Yorker

The cause of that accident is still being investigated.

The New York Times

The cause of that crash is not yet known.

The Washington Post

The cause of that blast remains under investigation.

The New York Times

The cause of that outbreak was never found.

The Guardian

The cause of that accident is being investigated.

The Guardian

The cause of that accident remains under investigation.

The New York Times

The cause of that debatability was, ultimately, Adolf Hitler [4].

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "the cause of that" with a more specific noun or noun phrase for improved clarity. Instead of "The cause of that was X", try "The reason for the delay was X" or "The source of the problem was X".

Common error

Avoid using "the cause of that" if the 'that' doesn't have a clear, immediate antecedent in the text. Ensure the reader can easily understand what 'that' refers to, or replace it with a more specific term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the cause of that" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI says, it is grammatically correct. It indicates the reason or origin of something previously mentioned or implied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the cause of that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to pinpoint the origin or reason behind a specific situation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, its usage spans across various contexts including news, scientific reports, and general discussions. While it's suitable for formal writing, replacing it with more precise language is advised for enhanced clarity. Common alternatives include "the reason for that" and "the explanation for that". Ensure 'that' has a clear antecedent in your text to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reason for that

Replaces 'cause' with 'reason', providing a direct synonym.

the explanation for that

Substitutes 'cause' with 'explanation', emphasizing the clarification aspect.

the origin of that

Focuses on the starting point or source instead of the reason.

the source of that

Highlights where something comes from, rather than why it happened.

what led to that

Changes the structure to a question form, inquiring about the preceding events.

the factors behind that

Emphasizes multiple contributing elements.

the root of that

Implies a deeper, more fundamental reason.

the grounds for that

Focuses on the justification or basis for something.

the rationale for that

Highlights the logical basis or reasoning behind something.

the impetus for that

Emphasizes the driving force or initial motivation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "the cause of that"?

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

How can I use "the cause of that" in a sentence?

"The accident was due to icy conditions; "the cause of that" is still being investigated." You can use it to refer to a previously mentioned event or situation.

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

"The cause of that" is generally preferred over "the reason of that". While both are understandable, "the cause of that" is more common and idiomatic.

What's the difference between "the cause of that" and "the effect of that"?

"The cause of that" refers to what made something happen, while "the effect of that" refers to the result or consequence of something. They are opposite in meaning.