the fundamental cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the fundamental cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary reason or underlying factor behind a situation or phenomenon. Example: "Researchers are investigating the fundamental cause of climate change to develop effective solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fundamental cause is, of course, well known.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trump did not address the fundamental cause of climate change.

The Washington Post

Is single parenthood the fundamental cause of poverty?

The Economist

But the fundamental cause of the crisis lies within the region not outside it.

The Guardian

The fundamental cause of the caribou decline is the unanticipated ecological consequences of development.

The New York Times - Science

To many scientists, that suggested that amyloid was the fundamental cause of Alzheimer's disease.

The New York Times - Health

But the fundamental cause of the crisis lies within the region not outside it," he wrote.

Independent

The prime minister has sidestepped the fundamental cause of our housing crisis – the desperate lack of affordable housing supply".

The Guardian

The fundamental cause, according to the likes of John McCain, was greed and corruption on Wall Street.

The Guardian - Opinion

We haven't," he writes, adding that "the fundamental cause of the crisis lies within the region not outside it".

The New Yorker

Ground stress is the fundamental cause of deformation and failure during underground structural engineering.

Mining Science and Technology (China)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the fundamental cause" when you want to emphasize the deepest, most foundational reason behind a phenomenon. This implies a more thorough analysis than simply stating "the cause".

Common error

Avoid mistaking an immediate trigger for "the fundamental cause". The fundamental cause is the deep-rooted factor, while immediate triggers are merely the final events in a chain of causation. For example, a stock market crash might be the immediate trigger for an economic downturn, but excessive risk-taking could be the fundamental cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the fundamental cause" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the primary or root reason behind a phenomenon, issue, or event. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the fundamental cause" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that pinpoints the primary reason or underlying factor behind an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to explain and provide deeper insights. Its usage is common across news, science, and encyclopedia sources, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate between immediate triggers and deep-rooted factors to accurately convey the true cause. The alternative options are: "the underlying reason", "the root cause", or "the primary driver".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the underlying reason

Focuses on the reason beneath the surface or apparent cause.

the root cause

Emphasizes the origin or starting point of a problem or situation.

the primary driver

Highlights the main force or impetus behind an event or trend.

the main reason

Offers a simpler, more direct alternative emphasizing the key reason.

the key factor

Stresses the element of greatest importance in determining an outcome.

the central reason

Highlights the reason at the core of the matter.

the principal factor

Emphasizes the leading or most important factor.

the essential element

Focuses on a necessary component without which something is impossible.

the critical aspect

Highlights the aspect that is most important or decisive.

the prime mover

Suggests the initial or most powerful force initiating change.

FAQs

How do I use "the fundamental cause" in a sentence?

Use "the fundamental cause" to introduce the most important and basic reason behind a situation. For instance, "The researchers sought to identify the fundamental cause of the disease."

What's a good alternative to "the fundamental cause"?

You can use alternatives like "the underlying reason", "the root cause", or "the primary driver" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "the cause" and "the fundamental cause"?

"The cause" is a general term for why something happened. "The fundamental cause" implies a deeper, more basic reason underlying all other causes. It is not a superficial explanation but the core reason behind the effects.

When should I use "the fundamental cause" instead of "the main reason"?

Use "the fundamental cause" when you want to emphasize that you're discussing the most basic and essential reason for something. "The main reason" is a more general term and doesn't necessarily imply the same level of depth or foundational importance.