Collocations for cause - noun
1. sb/sth that makes sth happen
ADJ.
real, root, true, underlying
the root cause of the problem
the root cause of the problem
deeper, greater
A greater cause for resentment is the discrepancy in pay.
A greater cause for resentment is the discrepancy in pay.
biggest, chief, clear, fundamental, important, main, major, primary, prime, principal, significant | common
Smoking is a common cause of premature death.
Smoking is a common cause of premature death.
likely, possible | known, unknown | direct, indirect | immediate, initial | long-term, short-term | reasonable
There is no reasonable cause to suspect an unnatural death.
There is no reasonable cause to suspect an unnatural death.
contributory | hidden | social
the social causes of ill health
the social causes of ill health
VERB + CAUSE
discover, find, identify
attempts to identify the immediate cause of the breakdown
attempts to identify the immediate cause of the breakdown
CAUSE + VERB
be, lie in sth
The real cause of the problem lies in the poor construction of the bridge.
The real cause of the problem lies in the poor construction of the bridge.
PHRASES
cause and effect, the cause of death, due to/from/of natural causes
He died of natural causes.
He died of natural causes.
2. reason
ADJ.
good, great, real, reasonable
VERB + CAUSE
have
We have good cause to believe that he was involved in the crime.
We have good cause to believe that he was involved in the crime.
find
The experts may find cause to disagree with the school''s decision.
The experts may find cause to disagree with the school''s decision.
give (sb)
Her health is giving us great cause for concern.
Her health is giving us great cause for concern.
show
The onus is on government departments to show cause why information cannot be disclosed.
The onus is on government departments to show cause why information cannot be disclosed.
PREP.
~ for
There is no cause for alarm.
There is no cause for alarm.
PHRASES
cause for concern, with/without good cause, without just cause
3. aim that people believe in
ADJ.
deserving, good, just, noble, worthwhile, worthy
The money she left went to various worthy causes.
The money she left went to various worthy causes.
bad, unjust | common
The different groups support a common cause.
The different groups support a common cause.
hopeless, lost
(= one that has failed or that cannot succeed)
(= one that has failed or that cannot succeed)
humanitarian, social | communist, socialist, etc.
VERB + CAUSE
be committed/sympathetic to, champion, fight for, further, help, promote, serve, support
young men willing to fight for the cause She was keen to do anything that would further the cause.
young men willing to fight for the cause She was keen to do anything that would further the cause.
take up
She has taken up the cause of animal rights.
She has taken up the cause of animal rights.
plead
He pleaded the cause of the local fishermen.
He pleaded the cause of the local fishermen.
PREP.
in a/the ~
prominent figures in the socialist cause
prominent figures in the socialist cause
in the ~ of
to disregard the strict letter of the law in the cause of true justice
to disregard the strict letter of the law in the cause of true justice
PHRASES
a cause cel
e
e
bre
(= a controversial issue that attracts a great deal of public attention),
(= a controversial issue that attracts a great deal of public attention),
(all) for/in a good cause
The function took a lot of organizing, but was all in a good cause.
The function took a lot of organizing, but was all in a good cause.