this was caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the reason or source of a particular event or situation. Example: "The flooding in the area was severe, and this was caused by the heavy rainfall over the past week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was caused by several factors. . . .

The New Yorker

This was caused by a fragment of a meteor.

The New Yorker

This was caused by degradation of mevalonate synthesis pathway enzymes.

Bioresource Technology

This was caused by pollution from industry and traffic mixing with ammonia from farming.

The Guardian

"If this was caused by arsonists, as far as I'm concerned they're criminals," he said.

The Guardian

None of this was caused by the attack on the World Trade Center.

The New York Times - Magazine

Again, Wikipedia believes this was caused by users expecting their searches to auto-complete to Google.

The Guardian

"Because this was caused by such a disaster, everybody's broken-hearted," Ms. Bakke said.

The New York Times

There is no indication at all that this was caused by the half-time show.

The Guardian - Sport

It is hard to say if this was caused by the disaster, but it is possible.

The Guardian

Writer speculates that this was caused by an unhappy love affair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this was caused by", ensure the subject and cause are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify exactly what "this" refers to and be precise about the cause.

Common error

Avoid using "this was caused by" when "this" is unclear or refers to multiple things. Always clarify the antecedent to prevent confusion. Rephrase to specify exactly what you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was caused by" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome or event to its origin or reason. It introduces the explanation for a preceding statement. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

53%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was caused by" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to establish a causal relationship between an event and its source. Ludwig highlights its correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including science, news, and general writing. While common, clarity is key: ensure the subject ("this") and the cause are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "this resulted from" or "this was due to" for stylistic variation. Always aim for precision to enhance the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this resulted from

This phrase replaces the verb "was caused" with "resulted", offering a slightly more formal tone.

this was due to

A common and direct way to indicate the reason for something.

this was a consequence of

This phrase explicitly states that something happened as a direct result of something else.

this stemmed from

This alternative emphasizes the origin or root cause of the situation.

this originated in

This option highlights the place or point where something began or started.

this arose from

This substitute describes how something emerged or came into being as a consequence.

this derived from

This suggests that something is obtained or developed from a source.

this is attributable to

A more formal way of saying something can be credited to a particular cause.

the reason for this was

This rephrases the sentence to focus on stating the reason directly.

the underlying cause of this was

This alternative emphasizes finding the primary or fundamental cause.

FAQs

How can I use "this was caused by" in a sentence?

Use "this was caused by" to connect an event or condition with its direct cause. For example, "The delay was significant; this was caused by unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "this was caused by"?

You can use alternatives like "this resulted from", "this was due to", or "this stemmed from" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to start a sentence with "this was caused by"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "this was caused by" might sound less formal. Consider rephrasing for a more sophisticated tone in formal writing. You could use "the reason for this was" instead.

What's the difference between "this was caused by" and "this was because of"?

"This was caused by" directly links an effect to its cause. "This was because of" is similar, but "caused by" is often considered more concise and direct. Semantically, they are almost interchangeable, but stylistically, they can vary slightly in formality and flow.