well-defined cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well-defined cause" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a cause that is clear, specific, and unambiguous. For example, "The study identified a well-defined cause for the increase in pollution levels." Alternative expressions include "clearly defined cause" and "specific cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Autopsy may play an important role in order to identify the correct well-defined cause of death.

BMC Public Health

While PHN has a single well-defined cause, the underlying pathophysiology and presentation may vary between patients and within patients over the course of the disease [ 48].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because organisations like Anonymous lack well-defined leadership, they depend on well-defined causes to bring the public onto their side.

The Economist

Rather, such aims and plans are found already largely formed in social experience: we come to consciousness in a world that proffers countless well-defined causes and programs for their accomplishment.

SEP

As mentioned in the introduction, ill-defined causes of death may hide important well-defined causes of death.

BMC Public Health

Further, we conducted a sensitivity analysis in which we estimated to what extent any misclassification of well-defined causes of death as ill-defined condition may affect socioeconomic inequalities in those well-defined causes.

BMC Public Health

Socioeconomic differences in the proportion of ill-defined causes of death may lead to under- or overestimation of socioeconomic differences in well-defined causes of death.

BMC Public Health

However the percentage difference was not large enough to impact educational inequalities in well-defined causes of death after a redistribution of ill-defined causes of death.

BMC Public Health

In other words, if the proportion of ill-defined conditions remains small, any redistribution of these causes of death will have only a negligible impact on socioeconomic inequalities in well-defined causes of death.

BMC Public Health

Ongoing, often insufficiently treated inflammation of the axial skeleton over years might result in other causes of pain, such as secondary fibromyalgia, chronic muscle imbalance, non-physiological stress or impact on joints and enthuses, and other less well-defined causes.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

It is likely that ill-defined causes of death hide important pathologies, and a high proportion of ill-defined causes of death may therefore lead to an underestimation of the mortality rates from well-defined causes of death, such as ischemic heart disease (IHD), suicide or injuries [ 8– 11].

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well-defined cause", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the cause 'well-defined'. Provide specific details or criteria to support this claim.

Common error

Avoid using "well-defined cause" when the cause is actually complex or multifactorial. Ensure there's sufficient evidence to support the claim of a clear, singular cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-defined cause" functions as a noun phrase, where "well-defined" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "cause". It is often used to describe situations where the origin or reason for something is clearly understood and identifiable. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well-defined cause" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. It signifies that the origin or reason for something is clear, specific, and unambiguous. As highlighted by Ludwig, while other phrases can substitute "well-defined cause" to convey similar meanings, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the specificity implied by this term. Use this phrase when a cause is not only identified but also thoroughly understood and supported by evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clearly identified cause

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguous identification of the cause.

Specifically determined cause

Highlights the precise determination and specification of the cause.

Precisely defined reason

Focuses on the accurate and detailed definition of the reason.

Distinctly established cause

Stresses the clear establishment and recognition of the cause.

Unambiguously identified factor

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in identifying the contributing factor.

Well-established etiology

A more formal and medical term referring to a clearly understood origin of a disease.

Definitively pinpointed origin

Emphasizes the act of accurately locating and identifying the source.

Well-understood mechanism

Shifts the focus to the comprehensible process or system that leads to a particular result.

Known causative agent

Focuses on the identified agent directly responsible for producing an effect.

Established determinant

Highlights the firmly recognized factor that decisively affects an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "well-defined cause" in a sentence?

Use "well-defined cause" to describe a reason or origin that is clear, specific, and easily identifiable. For example, "The research identified a "well-defined cause" for the increase in childhood obesity rates".

What are some alternatives to "well-defined cause"?

You can use alternatives such as "clearly identified cause", "specifically determined cause", or "precisely defined reason" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "well-defined cause" in formal writing?

Yes, "well-defined cause" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts. It indicates a clear and unambiguous understanding of the cause being discussed. Consider alternatives such as "well-established etiology" for medical contexts.

What does it mean for a cause to be "well-defined"?

A "well-defined cause" means the origin or reason for something is clearly understood and has specific, identifiable characteristics. This implies there is little ambiguity or uncertainty about what is causing a particular effect or outcome.