was caused by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was caused by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the reason or cause for something. For example, "The accident was caused by a sudden snowstorm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

(It was caused by something).

The New York Times

It was caused by drought and flood.

The New York Times

Other trouble was caused by the wind.

The New York Times

This was caused by several factors. . . .

The New Yorker

"But the paralysis was caused by pneumonia?

The New Yorker

Which was caused by high NOx concentration.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Much, though, is caused by impatience.

The Economist

A grey sky is caused by clouds.

BBC

Some were caused by unexpected developments overseas.

The New York Times

Genital herpes is caused by viruses.

The Economist

Not all tsunamis are caused by earthquakes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was caused by", ensure that the cause is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying 'The problem was caused by the system', specify 'The problem was caused by a software bug in the system'.

Common error

Avoid stacking passive constructions. Overusing "was caused by" can lead to convoluted sentences. Instead, rephrase the sentence in the active voice to make it more direct and engaging. For example, instead of 'The delay was caused by the weather', try 'The weather delayed the flight'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was caused by" serves as a causal connector, linking an effect to its cause. This grammatical function is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use in explaining various phenomena, events, and conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was caused by" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the cause of a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its versatility allows it to be used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While effective, it's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse of passive voice for clearer and more engaging writing. Alternatives like "resulted from" or "stemmed from" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resulted from

This phrase is a direct synonym, focusing on the outcome as a consequence of something.

stemmed from

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

arose from

Similar to "stemmed from", this phrase highlights the emergence of something from a specific cause.

was a consequence of

This phrase explicitly states the relationship as a cause and effect.

was attributed to

This alternative suggests assigning a cause, which might be based on belief or evidence.

originated from

Focuses on where something began or started, indicating a causal link to its source.

was produced by

Highlights the active creation or generation of something by a cause.

was triggered by

Suggests a cause that initiated or set off a chain of events.

was brought about by

Emphasizes that a cause actively led to a specific outcome or change.

is due to

A common and simple way to indicate causation or reason.

FAQs

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

Use "was caused by" to indicate the reason or origin of something. For example, "The accident "was caused by" icy road conditions."

What are some alternatives to "was caused by"?

Alternatives include "resulted from", "stemmed from", or "arose from". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "was caused by" or "due to"?

"Was caused by" is a verb phrase, while "due to" is an adjective phrase. "Was caused by" works well in the predicate of a sentence (e.g., "The failure "was caused by" a power outage"), while "due to" often modifies a noun (e.g., "The failure, "due to" a power outage, affected several systems.").

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing causes?

While "was caused by" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, active voice can often create a more direct and engaging sentence. For example, instead of "The problem "was caused by" a software error", consider "A software error caused the problem."