the underlying cause of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the underlying cause of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the fundamental reason or factor behind a particular issue or phenomenon. Example: "Researchers are investigating the underlying cause of the recent increase in respiratory illnesses in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The underlying cause of pedophilia is unclear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The underlying cause of migraine remains uncertain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's the underlying cause of E.D".

The New York Times

-What is the underlying cause of the ailment?

The New York Times

The underlying cause of troublesome hiccups should be investigated.

The New York Times - Science

Kalydeco treats the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis.

The New York Times

The underlying cause of conflict, however, is often the same.

The Economist

You keep using this phrase "the situation" to describe the underlying cause of wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Science

But there was never much doubt about the underlying cause of all that marital tension: marriage.

The New York Times - Arts

However, campaigners warned that ministers had to tackle the underlying cause of the problem.

The Guardian

Maternal and child undernutrition is the underlying cause of approximately 3 million child deaths a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the underlying cause of", ensure you're addressing the most fundamental reason behind a problem, not just a symptom. Addressing symptoms without understanding the underlying cause will likely lead to ineffective solutions.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two things are related, one is "the underlying cause of" the other. Ensure you have solid evidence to support a causal relationship, rather than just a correlation. Jumping to conclusions can lead to misdirected efforts and ineffective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the underlying cause of" functions as a noun phrase, introducing the fundamental reason or origin of a situation, problem, or phenomenon. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the underlying cause of" is a versatile phrase used to pinpoint the fundamental reasons behind various issues. Ludwig AI affirms its correct grammatical structure and wide usability across diverse contexts. It's most commonly found in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, focus on identifying the deepest root of a problem, and ensure you're not mistaking correlation for causation. For alternative phrasing, consider "the root cause of" or "the primary driver of" for clearer, more concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the root cause of

Replaces "underlying" with "root", emphasizing the fundamental origin.

the fundamental reason for

Substitutes "cause" with "reason" and adds "for", focusing on the rationale behind something.

the primary driver of

Changes "cause" to "driver", highlighting the main factor that propels something.

the mainspring of

Uses a metaphor to indicate the essential mechanism or source.

the basis for

Focuses on the foundation or groundwork that supports something.

the wellspring of

Emphasizes the abundant and continuous source of something.

the genesis of

Highlights the origin or beginning of something.

the wellspring of

Metaphorically suggests the original source or fountain from which something arises.

the etiology of

A more formal, often medical term for the cause or origin of a disease or condition.

the fons et origo of

A Latin phrase meaning "the source and origin", used for emphasis.

FAQs

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

You can use "the underlying cause of" to introduce the fundamental reason behind a problem or situation. For example, "Researchers are working to identify the underlying cause of the economic recession."

What's a more concise way to express "the underlying cause of"?

Alternatives include "the root cause of" or "the primary reason for", which can be more direct depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "the underlying cause and reason of"?

Yes, using both "cause" and "reason" is generally redundant because they convey similar meanings. Stick to either "the underlying cause" or "the underlying reason" for clarity.

How does "the underlying cause of" differ from "the immediate cause of"?

"The underlying cause of" refers to the fundamental, often less obvious reason, while "the immediate cause of" refers to the direct, most apparent reason. For example, the immediate cause of a fire might be a spark, but the underlying cause could be faulty wiring.