the foremost cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"the foremost cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as the most significant or important cause of a certain effect. For example, "The foremost cause of the catastrophe was the failure of the dam's safety system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Life is the foremost cause in how I vote.

The New Yorker

To demand a ban on lead ammunition (lead poisoning is the foremost cause of California condor deaths) would alienate hunters.

The New Yorker

"Boldness of enterprise is the foremost cause of [America's] rapid progress, its strength and its greatness," Alexis de Tocqueville wrote nearly a couple of centuries ago.

The New York Times

Trauma is the foremost cause of death in young patients.

Resuscitation

Lung cancer is the foremost cause of cancer mortality and is a growing economic burden worldwide.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

Alcohol, a most commonly consumed beverage, is the foremost cause of liver injury throughout the world.

Phytomedicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Pneumonia is among the foremost causes of hospitalization and mortality in patients residing in extended care facilities [1 8].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Pneumonia is among the foremost causes of hospitalization and mortality in patients residing in extended care facilities.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Tubercular infection constitutes one of the foremost causes of death and morbidity across the world, more so in the tropical region.

Insights into Imaging

Diabetes is known to be one of the foremost causes of mortality and morbidity in the world [ 2].

BioMed Research International

The overall volume of antibiotic consumption in the community is one of the foremost causes of antimicrobial resistance.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the foremost cause", ensure that you can substantiate this claim with evidence, as it implies a significant level of impact or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "the foremost cause" when the factor is merely significant but not definitively the most impactful. Use qualifiers like "a major cause" or "a primary factor" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foremost cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the most significant reason or factor contributing to a particular event or situation. As Ludwig confirms, it's usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foremost cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote the most significant factor contributing to a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. Its usage is prevalent in scientific and news-related contexts, indicating its suitability for objective and informative communication. The phrase is best used when there is clear evidence to support the claim that a factor is definitively the most important, and it's crucial to avoid overstating its significance when other factors also play a major role. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary reason

Replaces "cause" with "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind an event.

the leading factor

Substitutes "cause" with "factor", highlighting a contributing element.

the main reason

Uses "main reason" instead of "foremost cause", focusing on the principal explanation.

the principal factor

Similar to "leading factor" but uses "principal" for a slightly more formal tone.

the most important cause

Replaces "foremost" with "most important", clarifying the significance of the cause.

the key factor

Emphasizes that the factor is crucial or essential.

the root cause

Focuses on the fundamental, underlying cause of a problem.

the biggest contributor

Highlights the element that contributes the most to an outcome.

the chief reason

Similar to "main reason" but with a slightly more formal tone using "chief".

the dominant influence

Focuses on the power and effect of a specific influence.

FAQs

How can I use "the foremost cause" in a sentence?

You can use "the foremost cause" to identify the most important factor leading to a specific outcome. For example, "The foremost cause of the economic downturn was the collapse of the housing market."

What phrases are similar to "the foremost cause"?

Similar phrases include "the primary reason", "the leading factor", or "the main reason", which all emphasize the principal factor behind an event.

When is it appropriate to use "the foremost cause"?

It is appropriate when you have evidence that a particular factor is definitively the most significant contributor to a specific outcome. Avoid using it if the cause is only one of many equally important factors.

What's the difference between "the foremost cause" and "a major cause"?

"The foremost cause" indicates the single most important factor, while "a major cause" suggests that the factor is significant but not necessarily the most important one. Use "a major cause" when there are multiple significant contributing factors.