main cause
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main cause
The most important and decisive reason that leads to a particular event, problem, or condition.
Die Hauptursache für den Stau war ein Unfall auf der Brücke.
The main cause of the traffic jam was an accident on the bridge.
This word is made up of 'Haupt-' (main/chief) and 'Ursache' (cause). The prefix 'Haupt-' means 'most important' or 'central', so the word literally describes the most important cause.
Fehlende Wartung war die Hauptursache des technischen Defekts.
Lack of maintenance was the main cause of the technical defect.
To express what something is the main cause of, the preposition 'für' is used with the accusative. The pattern is: 'die Hauptursache für etwas sein' (to be the main cause of something).
Stress gilt als Hauptursache für viele moderne Krankheiten.
Stress is considered the main cause of many modern illnesses.
Common verbs used with 'Hauptursache' (main cause) are 'sein' (to be), 'gelten als' (to be considered), and 'ermitteln' (to determine/identify). They describe what the cause is or how it is found.
Die Polizei konnte die Hauptursache für den Brand schnell ermitteln.
The police were quickly able to determine the main cause of the fire.
reason / ground
A Grund can be one of several causes or a justification for an action. Hauptursache, on the other hand, is the most important causal factor. When several causes work together, only the decisive one is called the Hauptursache.
Die Hauptursache für die Verspätung war ein Unfall auf der Autobahn.
The main cause of the delay was an accident on the highway.
Ein Grund für die Verspätung war der dichte Verkehr.
One reason for the delay was the heavy traffic.
