underlying cause

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The fundamental reason or source of a problem, often hidden behind more obvious signs.

   Grammar: Usually used with 'the' or a possessive: the underlying cause of the disease; its underlying cause.

   Patterns

   • the underlying cause of something
   • identify the underlying cause
   • address the underlying cause

   Doctors tried to find the underlying cause of her headaches.

   Poverty is often the underlying cause of crime in the area.

   The report said we must tackle the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.

2. 2nouncountablemedicaltechnical

   In medicine, the original disease or condition that leads to death, as opposed to immediate factors.

   Grammar: Used in medical and legal contexts, often on death certificates: the underlying cause of death.

   Patterns

   • the underlying cause of death
   • record the underlying cause

   The death certificate listed pneumonia as the immediate cause and cancer as the underlying cause.

   Medical examiners must determine the underlying cause, not just the final event.

Word forms

Common combinations

underlying cause of death

The coroner reported heart disease as the underlying cause of death.

root cause

The root cause of the outage was a faulty cable.

address the underlying cause

The charity aims to address the underlying causes of homelessness.

identify the underlying cause

Engineers worked to identify the underlying cause of the engine failure.

Synonyms and how they differ

root cause

Root cause is very close but often used in technical problem-solving; underlying cause is more general and common in medicine and social issues.

basis

Basis is broader and can mean a foundation or starting point, not necessarily a hidden reason.

Word family

underlie verb

To be the cause or basis of something.

underlying adjective

Existing beneath the surface; fundamental.

Commonly confused: underlying cause or underling?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “underlying cause”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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