without due cause

USAGE SUMMARY

'without due cause' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a situation where someone does something arbitrary or unjustified. For example: The supervisor was fired without due cause, which left the rest of the team feeling unsettled.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Fehr cited the United States Constitution for not having testing without due cause.

The New York Times - Sports

What it is, it's a strategy to get you used to being searched without due cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Can the executive imprison us or invade our liberty through surveillance without due cause?

The Guardian - Opinion

But it doesn't necessarily mean that the I.R.S. officials acted without due cause.

The New Yorker

The country was on the list for years without due cause.

The New York Times

Antiwar protesters in the United States and worldwide noted the foolishness of a rush to war without due cause.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

They were fired for due cause".

The New York Times

Gemmell has previously pleaded guilty to causing death while driving without due care and attention.

BBC

It is disingenuous to call for justice for Khashoggi and not advocate on behalf of dissidents held without due process, and causes of feminism and religious freedom, that America has so casually ignored for years.

The Washington Post

The US may be brutal in its treatment of leakers such as Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, but the fourth amendment lurks deep in its culture, protecting privacy from the state without due process and "probable cause".

The Guardian - Opinion

Tenure provides those in the academic profession with some benefits, including protection from termination without due process or without cause.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, ensure it is clear what action or decision is being challenged as lacking justification. Provide context for clarity.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "without due cause" can sound slightly formal. In very informal contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "for no reason" or "unnecessarily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without due cause" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that an action or decision occurred without a sufficient or justifiable reason. It often implies a sense of unfairness or arbitrariness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without due cause" is a prepositional phrase that functions adverbially, indicating that an action lacks sufficient justification or reason. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly used in news, science and wiki content, suggesting a neutral to formal register. The phrase conveys disapproval or criticism of actions lacking valid basis, often implying unfairness or arbitrariness. Alternatives include "without justification" or "unwarrantedly", but the best choice depends on context and desired formality. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential formality mismatches and ensure clarity regarding the action being challenged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without justification

Replaces "due cause" with the more direct term "justification".

without a valid reason

Expands on the idea of lacking reason, specifying that the reason is not valid.

without grounds

Highlights the absence of a legitimate foundation for the action.

without reason

A simpler and more direct way to express the absence of a valid reason.

unjustifiably

Similar to "unwarrantedly", but perhaps a slightly stronger emphasis on fairness.

unwarrantedly

Uses an adverb to convey the meaning of lacking a valid reason.

arbitrarily

Focuses on the random or capricious nature of the action.

unprovoked

Implies that there was no instigating factor or reason for the action.

baselessly

Emphasizes the lack of factual or logical support.

for no good reason

A more informal and colloquial way of expressing the lack of justification.

FAQs

How can I use "without due cause" in a sentence?

The phrase "without due cause" typically follows a verb describing an action, indicating the action lacked a valid reason. For example, "The employee was dismissed "without due cause"".

What are some alternatives to saying "without due cause"?

Alternatives include "without justification", "unwarrantedly", or "without reason". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "without due cause" or "without a reason"?

"Without due cause" implies a more formal and potentially legalistic context, suggesting a lack of legitimate grounds. "Without a reason" is simpler and more general. The choice depends on the situation's formality and emphasis.

What's the difference between "without due cause" and "arbitrarily"?

"Without due cause" suggests a lack of legitimate justification for an action. "Arbitrarily" ("arbitrarily") emphasizes that the action was based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any objective standard or rule.