the cause of this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the cause of this" 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 researchers are investigating the cause of this phenomenon to better understand its implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was the cause of this pain?

The New Yorker

The cause of this incident was drugs.

The New York Times

The cause of this phenomenon is unknown.

The New Yorker

What is the cause of this stress?

Harvard Business Review

The cause of this behaviour is straightforward.

The Guardian

The cause of this crisis was poppies.

The Times

What the cause of this enlarged nose?

Stanford University

What is the cause of this problem?

Harvard University

The cause of this extinction is unknown.

University of California, Berkeley

What's the cause of this particular breakup?

Harvard University

The cause of this deficit is unknown.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the cause of this", ensure the context clearly identifies 'this' to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what you are referring to.

Common error

Do not use "the cause of this" in isolation without a clear antecedent. Always make sure the 'this' is explicitly defined or immediately understood from the surrounding text to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the cause of this" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies or introduces the reason or origin behind a specific situation, event, or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

24%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the cause of this" is a versatile phrase used to explore the origins or reasons behind a specific situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While suitable for formal settings, it's crucial to ensure the referent of 'this' is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "the reason for this" and "the explanation for this" offer subtle variations in emphasis. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "the cause of this" to promote clarity and facilitate deeper understanding. As a final remark, it's important to note that, despite the variety of sources where the expression occurs, it is more frequent in News and Media, Academia and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reason for this

Focuses on the rationale or explanation behind something, differing slightly in emphasis from the origin.

the explanation for this

Highlights the act of clarifying or making something understandable, shifting the focus to interpretation.

the source of this

Emphasizes the origin or point of commencement, rather than the complete causal chain.

the origin of this

Stresses the initial point from which something originates, often used for historical or developmental contexts.

what's behind this

An idiomatic expression questioning the hidden factors or motivations influencing a situation.

the root of this

Implies uncovering the fundamental or underlying element that supports the rest of the problem.

the driving force behind this

Highlights the element that propels or motivates a particular event or trend.

the impetus for this

Refers to the initial force or stimulus that triggered a certain development.

the grounds for this

Focuses on the justification or basis upon which something is based, emphasizing the reasoning.

the determinant of this

Highlights the factor that decisively affects or controls the outcome, emphasizing its influence.

FAQs

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

Use "the cause of this" to introduce an explanation or reason for a situation. For example, "The scientists are studying "the cause of this" sudden increase in temperature."

What is a formal alternative to "the cause of this"?

In formal writing, you can replace "the cause of this" with phrases like "the etiology of this", "the reason for this", or "the underlying factor contributing to this".

Which is more appropriate, "the cause of this" or "the reason for this"?

Both "the cause of this" and "the reason for this" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "The cause of this" emphasizes the origin, while "the reason for this" focuses on the explanation. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the cause of these" instead of "the cause of this"?

Yes, if you are referring to multiple things. "The cause of these" is correct when 'these' refers to plural items or situations, whereas "the cause of this" refers to a singular item or situation.