"cause" vs "main cause"

Question

"cause" vs "main cause"

Both "cause" and "main cause" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "Cause" is a general term used to refer to any reason or factor that produces an effect, while "main cause" specifies that a particular cause is the primary or most significant reason for something.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

Use "cause" when referring to any reason or factor that leads to a particular outcome or effect.

Examples:

The cause of the fire was determined to be faulty wiring.
Lack of sleep can be a cause of poor concentration.
The main cause of the traffic jam was a car accident.
The cause of the disease is still unknown.
Overeating is a common cause of obesity.

Alternatives:

reason
factor
source of the problem
root cause
origin

Use "main cause" when you want to emphasize that a specific cause is the primary or most important reason for a particular outcome.

Examples:

The main cause of the economic crisis was the housing market crash.
The main cause of the accident was the driver's negligence.
Stress is often cited as the main cause of various health problems.
The main cause of deforestation is human activity.
The main cause of conflict in the region is political instability.

Alternatives:

primary cause
key factor
leading reason
chief cause
dominant factor

Answer 1

cause

The term "cause" is a common and correct word used to refer to any reason or factor that produces an effect.

Answer 2

main cause

The term "main cause" is also correct and specifies that a particular cause is the primary or most significant reason for something.

"cause" vs "main cause"

cause

main cause

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