vital cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital cause" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a crucial or essential reason or factor behind something. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "The lack of access to clean drinking water was a vital cause of the widespread illness in the village."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Varkey said he wanted to support the "vital cause" of education.

The Guardian

Above all, it is in the vital cause of defeating what I call the assassin's veto.

The Guardian - Opinion

The broad overview "The Stem Cell Debate" (Dec. 18) will no doubt stir interest and raise awareness for this vital cause.

The New York Times - Science

"We've been honored and humbled by the theater community's commitment to standing up for tolerance and lending their voices to this vital cause," he said.

The New York Times

Walsh says the wholesome presence of hundreds of youngsters warming up on the streets around the armory has been the single most vital cause of the upgrading of the neighborhood.

The New York Times - Sports

I was thrilled that we were able to raise over £1m for this vital cause, and am hugely grateful to readers of The Independent newspapers and the London Evening Standard, for their generosity in making this happen.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This defeat could be partly blamed on Lally, but there were also other, more vital causes.

Britannica

Transient variations in aerodynamic loads are one of the most vital causes of train overturning or derailment.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

As we have seen élan vital causes a problem because it is neither mental nor physical.

SEP

Deep sedation was administrated at the time of inclusion for synchronization with the ventilator in 44 (51%) cases, for control of severe intracranial hypertension in 16 (19%) cases and for other vital causes in 26 (30%) cases.

Annals of Intensive Care

(4) During the course of the twentieth century received scientific opinion became even more restrictive about possible causes of physical effects, and came to reject sui generis mental or vital causes, even of a law-governed and predictable kind.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vital cause", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the cause is of utmost importance, providing specific details to support its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "vital cause" when the reason is merely important but not truly essential or critical. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and diminish its intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital cause" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as an extremely important or essential reason. It frequently serves to underscore the critical nature of a particular motivation or factor, as showcased by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vital cause" is a phrase used to denote a reason or factor of utmost importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis the phrase implies, avoiding overuse. Alternatives such as "critical reason" or "essential motive" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Use "vital cause" when stressing the indispensable nature of a particular driver or motivator, as it is a powerful way to highlight its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical reason

Emphasizes the importance of the reason as being decisive or crucial.

essential motive

Highlights the necessity of the motive as fundamental.

key factor

Focuses on the element that is central to an outcome.

significant driver

Indicates something that propels or strongly influences an action or event.

primary impetus

Suggests the initial force or motivation behind something.

mainspring

Refers to the chief motive or cause of action.

root cause

Points to the fundamental or underlying cause of a problem.

fundamental rationale

Stresses the basic or essential reasoning behind something.

core principle

Highlights the guiding belief or tenet that underlies an action or decision.

chief consideration

Indicates the most important factor to take into account.

FAQs

How can I use "vital cause" in a sentence?

You can use "vital cause" to describe something that is a crucial reason or factor. For example, "The community's support was a vital cause for the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "vital cause"?

Alternatives include "critical reason", "essential motive", or "key factor" depending on the specific context.

Is "vital cause" formal or informal?

"Vital cause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in formal writing and discussions.

What's the difference between "vital cause" and "important reason"?

"Vital cause" suggests a higher degree of necessity and impact compared to "important reason". A "vital cause" is indispensable, while an "important reason" may simply be significant.