ultimate cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ultimate cause" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the fundamental reason or underlying factor behind an event or phenomenon. For example, "The ultimate cause of the conflict was a long-standing territorial dispute." Alternative expressions include "primary cause" and "root cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, really, the ultimate cause of death was misperceived risk".

The Guardian

What was the ultimate cause of the financial crisis?

The New Yorker

"I can't handle this!" The ultimate cause of stress is feeling unable to cope.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some believe that the consciousness of living things is the ultimate cause of this transition.

The Guardian

The ultimate cause was a press report on how Hamilton had slighted Burr at a dinner.

The Guardian - Books

Finding the ultimate cause, they said, will be left to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The New York Times

The ultimate cause of death, which does not come quickly, is asphyxiation.

The Guardian

The process of subduction is the ultimate cause of most volcanic eruptions in Latin America.

Harvard University

The ultimate cause of intoxication has yet to be glimpsed by even the fieriest imagination.

The New Yorker

Could it be that unaffordable health care is the ultimate cause of the recession?

The New Yorker

What our research doesn't show is the ultimate cause of these trends.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex events, pinpoint the "ultimate cause" to provide a comprehensive understanding, going beyond immediate or superficial explanations.

Common error

Avoid stopping at the easily identifiable proximate cause; delve deeper to uncover the "ultimate cause", which offers a more complete explanation of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in identifying the fundamental reason behind various phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ultimate cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the fundamental reason behind an event or situation. As Ludwig highlights, it is employed across diverse contexts, from academic and scientific discussions to news reporting and general explanations. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, distinguishing it from the proximate cause is important for a thorough understanding. By providing usage examples and related phrases, this guide aims to clarify the meaning and application of "ultimate cause" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root cause

Focuses on the fundamental origin or reason behind something.

primary reason

Emphasizes the main reason or justification for an event or situation.

underlying factor

Highlights a less obvious, but still significant, influence.

fundamental reason

Stresses the basic and essential reason.

mainspring

Implies the chief motive or activating principle.

prime mover

Suggests the initial or principal agent that sets something in motion.

essential element

Highlights a crucial aspect or component that contributes decisively.

chief determinant

Focuses on the dominant factor that controls or decides an outcome.

real reason

Highlights the genuine and actual reason.

deepest source

Emphasizes the most profound and fundamental origin.

FAQs

How do you use "ultimate cause" in a sentence?

The phrase "ultimate cause" is used to describe the fundamental reason behind an event or situation. For example, "The "ultimate cause" of the company's failure was poor management."

What is a synonym for "ultimate cause"?

Synonyms for "ultimate cause" include "root cause", "primary reason", and "underlying factor".

What's the difference between "proximate cause" and "ultimate cause"?

The "proximate cause" is the immediate reason for an event, while the "ultimate cause" is the deeper, underlying reason that led to the proximate cause. Identifying both provides a complete understanding.

Is "ultimate cause" a formal or informal phrase?

"Ultimate cause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the communication.