a common cause vs the common cause

Both 'a common cause' and 'the common cause' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A common cause' is used when referring to any shared reason or explanation for something, while 'the common cause' is used when referring to a specific shared reason or explanation that has been previously mentioned or is well-known.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 726 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"a common cause"

This phrase is used when referring to any shared reason or explanation for something. It indicates that there is a reason that is commonly shared among different situations or occurrences.

Examples:

Lack of communication is a common cause of misunderstandings.
Stress is a common cause of health issues.
Procrastination is a common cause of missed deadlines.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jun 13, 2013 ... FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/acommoncauseband. A Common Cause covering Two Door Cinema Club's What You Know!
On Algiers' Debut Album, Southern Boys Find A Common Cause. May 31, 2015 7 :34 AM ET. NPR Staff. Listen to the Story. Weekend Edition Sunday. 7:40.
Description of Ignoring a Common Cause. This fallacy has the following general structure: A and B are regularly connected (but no third, common cause is ...
A special-cause failure is a failure that can be corrected by changing a component or process, whereas a common-cause failure is equivalent to noise in the ...

Alternatives:

a frequent cause
a typical cause
a prevalent cause
a widespread cause
a universal cause

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the common cause"

This phrase is used when referring to a specific shared reason or explanation that has been previously mentioned or is well-known. It indicates that there is a particular reason that is commonly shared among different situations or occurrences.

Examples:

The common cause of the recent accidents is poor maintenance.
The common cause of the team's failure was lack of coordination.
The common cause of the issue was a software glitch.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Common Cause Handbook. Public Interest Research Centre (PIRC) | July 18 , 2011 Buy a hard copy. 11910 Downloads ...
Together with our sister organization, the Common Cause Education Fund, we employ a powerful combination of grassroots organizing, coalition building, ...
In 2013, the Common Cause Education Fund launched a major initiative to develop a vision and plan for advancing reforms to strengthen our democracy.
Donations to our educational arm, the Common Cause Education Fund, are fully deductible under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Common ...

Alternatives:

the shared cause
the mutual cause
the collective cause
the joint cause
the overarching cause

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a common cause vs the common cause

"a common cause"

"the common cause"

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