the major cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"the major cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to the primary factor or reason for something. For example, "The major cause of the recent rise in crime rate is the economic recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He discounts ethnicity as the major cause.

The New York Times

The TPV was the major cause of the SIEVX disaster.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Smoking is the major cause of preventable deaths," he said.

The New York Times

This is probably the major cause of infected devices.

The Guardian

(These chemicals are the major cause of acid rain).

The New York Times - Magazine

Vocal nodules constitute the major cause of dysphonia during childhood.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of human mortality worldwide.

Electrospun Materials for Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Applications Research, Design and Commercialization

Traffic is the major cause of air pollution in cities, with diesel vehicles especially dirty.

The Guardian

Weather was the major cause of delays, and the figures do not include mechanical breakdowns.

The New York Times

According to the government, car wash operators are the major cause of flooding in Lagos.

The New Yorker

Introduced species, such as rats, are the major cause of extinction for island species.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "the major cause" in a single piece of writing; vary your language by using synonyms like "the primary reason" or "the principal factor".

Common error

A common error is mistaking correlation for causation when identifying "the major cause". Ensure that there's a direct and demonstrable link between the proposed cause and the effect, not just a coincidental relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the major cause" functions as a noun phrase identifying the principal reason or factor responsible for a particular outcome or situation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showcasing its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the major cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the primary factor contributing to a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a range of contexts, from formal scientific papers to news reports. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. To enhance writing quality, ensure that "the major cause" is followed by a clear explanation and that correlation is not mistaken for causation. Alternatives such as "the primary reason" or "the principal factor" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary reason

Focuses on the reasoning aspect, similar to cause but emphasizes rationale.

the principal factor

Highlights the element that most significantly contributes to a result.

the main reason

A more informal way to express the primary cause.

the leading factor

Suggests the cause that is ahead of all others in importance.

the root cause

Emphasizes the fundamental origin of a problem.

the key factor

Highlights the most important element in a situation.

the prime factor

A more formal synonym emphasizing the top-most reason.

the underlying cause

Refers to a less obvious, but fundamental, reason.

the predominant cause

Emphasizes the cause that is most common or noticeable.

the biggest reason

A colloquial alternative to express the most significant reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "the major cause" to pinpoint the main reason behind an event or situation, for example, "Smoking is "the major cause" of lung cancer".

What are some alternatives to using "the major cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the primary reason", "the principal factor", or "the main reason".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a major cause" instead of "the major cause"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The major cause" implies that it is the most significant cause, while "a major cause" suggests that it is one of several significant causes.

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

"The major cause" refers to the most significant reason for something, while "a contributing factor" is one of several factors that play a role, but not necessarily the most important one.