the whole cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the whole cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the entirety of a reason or justification for an action or event. Example: "Understanding the whole cause of the conflict is essential for finding a resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It is certainly not the whole cause.

The Economist

Some countries think that the whole cause is a disguise for Western meddling and hypocrisy.

The Economist

"I should repeat the Iranian position that our support is moral and humanitarian for the whole cause of Palestine and the Palestinian people," he wrote.

The New York Times

As a symptom, if not the whole cause, of England's struggle to rediscover their World Cup-winning rhythm, Greenwood's drought is a prime case study.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is about creating a massive opportunity to ensure that less tax is paid, which undermines the whole cause of selling off the forests.

The Guardian

Politicians realised how popular the whole cause was becoming, but I don't know if I ever thought Mandela would be freed.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The scarf, when it finally appears, has to merge into the architecture of the whole, causing yet more alterations elsewhere.

The Guardian - Arts

Out at my car I couldn't be bothered to get into the whole 'probable cause' thing so I flung open the doors and with as much good cheer as I could muster, said: "Help yourself".

The Guardian

But it would be a mistake to tar the whole Zionist cause with the terrorist label, as Mr. Cesarani veers close to doing.

Forbes

His savage murder is not only an attack on an individual, but an attack on the whole humanitarian cause.

Los Angeles Times

Number four touches on the whole "cellphones cause cancer" debate - which is far, far too complicated for me to even address.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the whole cause", ensure you're referring to the entirety of the reason, not just a contributing factor. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is associated with an event, it represents "the whole cause". Consider other potential factors to ensure a complete and accurate assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the whole cause" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the entirety of reasons behind an event or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples demonstrate its role in explaining complex situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the whole cause" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that denotes the complete and comprehensive reason behind an event or situation. While Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct phrase, it's important to use it when you truly mean to encompass all contributing factors. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing across news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. Alternatives like ""the complete reason"" or ""the entire motive"" may be more suitable depending on the specific context. Avoid the common error of assuming correlation implies causation when identifying "the whole cause".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the complete reason

Replaces "whole" with "complete", emphasizing thoroughness.

the entire motive

Substitutes "cause" with "motive", highlighting the underlying drive.

the full explanation

Uses "full" and "explanation" to stress comprehensive clarification.

the total justification

Replaces "cause" with "justification", focusing on the validity of the reason.

the underlying factor

Shifts the focus to the foundational element contributing to the outcome.

the principal driver

Highlights the main impetus behind an event or action.

the root of the matter

Uses an idiomatic expression to pinpoint the core issue.

the mainspring

Replaces "cause" with "mainspring", which refers to the primary motivator.

the be-all and end-all

An idiomatic expression meaning the most important thing.

the crux of the problem

Focuses on the central and decisive point of an issue.

FAQs

What does "the whole cause" mean?

The phrase "the whole cause" refers to the complete and comprehensive reason or set of reasons behind a particular event, situation, or phenomenon. It implies that all contributing factors are considered.

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

You can use "the whole cause" to emphasize that you're considering all aspects of why something happened. For example, "Understanding "the whole cause" of the issue requires examining multiple contributing factors."

What are some alternatives to "the whole cause"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the complete reason", "the entire motive", or "the full explanation" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "the whole cause"?

Yes, "the whole cause" is grammatically correct. It's a noun phrase that functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.