what causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what causes" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a question or inquiry about the reason or cause of something. Example: "What causes climate change?" "What causes people to behave in certain ways?" "I don't understand what causes him to act so irrationally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What causes the imbalance?

The New York Times - Books

What causes the disease?

Independent

What causes their anger?

The New Yorker

What causes the condition?

Independent

For what causes?

The New York Times

But what causes smoking?

The Economist

What causes the impressions?

The New Yorker

But what causes it?

The New Yorker

What causes back pain?

Independent

What causes this?

The New York Times

What causes that?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what causes", ensure you're specific about the phenomenon you're investigating. Clear context improves clarity and focuses the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "what causes" in overly broad or vague questions. Instead of asking "What causes problems?", be specific, such as "What causes engine failure in this model?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what causes" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to initiate questions that seek to identify the reasons or origins of a particular phenomenon, event, or condition. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what causes" is a fundamental tool for inquiry, used to explore the reasons and origins behind various phenomena. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and highly prevalent in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge resources. While versatile, clarity is key: specify the subject of your inquiry to avoid overly broad questions. Consider alternatives like "what is the reason for" or "what leads to" for nuanced phrasing. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, you can effectively employ "what causes" to uncover the underlying mechanisms of the world around us.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what brings about

Emphasizes the action of causing something to exist or happen.

what is responsible for

Highlights the element or factor that bears the burden of causing something.

what leads to

Focuses on the pathway or sequence of events that result in a specific outcome.

what is the reason for

Replaces "causes" with a more explicit term for reason, focusing on the rationale behind something.

why does this occur

Simplifies the question to a basic inquiry about the reasons for an occurrence.

what factors contribute to

Emphasizes that multiple elements may be at play in bringing about a particular outcome.

what is the source of

Pinpoints the origin from which something arises or is derived.

what are the origins of

Shifts the focus to the beginning or source of something, rather than its ongoing causes.

what is the determinant of

Highlights a decisive factor that controls or influences an outcome.

how does it happen that

Rephrases the question to focus on the process or mechanism by which something occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "what causes" in a sentence?

You can use "what causes" to ask about the reasons or origins of something, for example, "What causes climate change?" or "What causes inflation".

What can I say instead of "what causes"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the reason for", "what are the origins of", or "what is responsible for depending on the context".

Which is correct, "what causes" or "what is causing"?

"What causes" is generally used to inquire about the general or typical reasons behind something. "What is causing" inquires about a specific instance. For example, "What causes earthquakes?" versus "What is causing this specific tremor right now?".

What's the difference between "what causes" and "why does...happen?"?

"What causes" focuses directly on the causal agent or factors, while "why does... happen?" broadens the scope to include the entire process or set of circumstances leading to an event. They are frequently interchangeable.