the main cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the main cause of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the main reason why something has happened or is happening. For example, "The main cause of the economic downturn was a drop in consumer spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The main cause of this is economics.

The Economist

Was this relentless schedule the main cause of his disintegration?

The Guardian - Sport

But the main cause of his stress was Di Luca.

The New York Times - Sports

Chytrid is now considered the main cause of their decline.

The Guardian

The main cause of friction was US policy towards Cuba.

The Guardian

This is the main cause of our fear.

The Guardian

The main cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking.

Harvard University

Illegal logging is the main cause of uncontrolled unsustainable deforestation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn.

Harvard University

Cancer had become the main cause of death in Wenling.

The Guardian

Asphyxia was the main cause of death, followed by burns.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your writing, consider if you need to qualify "the main cause of" with phrases like "one of the main causes of" or "a contributing factor to" if other factors are also significant.

Common error

Avoid using "the main cause of" when multiple factors contribute significantly. Instead, consider phrases like "a significant cause of" or "a contributing factor to" to avoid oversimplifying complex situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the main cause of" serves as a causal connector, linking an event or condition to its primary origin. It is used to specify the principal factor responsible for a particular outcome, as seen in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

45%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the main cause of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used causal connector that identifies the primary reason or factor behind a specific outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic writing. While it's essential to use this phrase accurately and avoid overstating causality, it remains a valuable tool for expressing clear and direct explanations. Remember to support your statements with evidence, and consider alternative phrases when multiple factors are involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary reason for

Focuses on the reason rather than the cause, implying intent or explanation.

the principal source of

Highlights the origin or starting point of something.

the leading factor in

Emphasizes influence or contribution to a result.

the major contributor to

Implies a significant but not necessarily exclusive role.

the key determinant of

Suggests a decisive influence or control over an outcome.

the root of

Implies a deep or fundamental origin of a problem or situation.

the driving force behind

Highlights the energy or motivation behind an action or event.

the biggest factor of

Indicates the relative size or importance compared to other factors.

the central reason for

Emphasizes that the identified factor is the most important or focal point.

primarily due to

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the cause as an explanation.

FAQs

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

Use "the main cause of" to identify the primary reason something happens. For example, "The main cause of the accident was speeding."

What are some alternatives to using "the main cause of"?

You can use alternatives like "the primary reason for", "the principal source of", or "the leading factor in" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to identify only one "main cause of"?

No, sometimes multiple factors contribute significantly. In such cases, it's more accurate to speak of "major contributing factors" or "significant causes" instead of a single "the main cause of".

What is the difference between "the main cause of" and "a cause of"?

"The main cause of" identifies the primary reason or factor, while "a cause of" simply indicates one of potentially many contributing factors.