B2–C1 · CDG · XTHCDG002

If [X] were the main cause, we would expect [Y]; if [Z] were, we would expect [A]

Explores a possible or counterfactual scenario and the consequences that would follow.

EN · EnglishIf [X] were the main cause, we would expect [Y]; if [Z] were, we would expect [W].
DE · GermanWenn [X] die Hauptursache wäre, würden wir [Y] erwarten; wenn es [Z] wäre, würden wir [W] erwarten.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Если бы причиной были права, сбои зависели бы от пользователя; если качество данных, то от записи.

    EN · English

    If  permissions  were the main  cause,  we  would  expect user-specific failures; if  data quality  were,  we  would  expect record-specific failures.

    DE · German

    Wenn  Berechtigungen die Hauptursache  wären,  würden  wir  nutzerspezifische Fehler  erwarten; bei Datenqualität eher datensatzspezifische.

  2. RU · Translation

    Если бы причиной была задержка, ожидались бы тайм-ауты; если валидация, то стабильные отклонения.

    EN · English

    If  latency  were the main  cause,  we  would  expect timeouts; if  validation  were,  we  would  expect deterministic rejects.

    DE · German

    Wenn  Latenz die Hauptursache  wäre,  würden  wir  Timeouts  erwarten; bei Validierung eher reproduzierbare Ablehnungen.

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Reasoning move · Cause

Cause

What it does

Compare competing mechanisms against the same observation.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

Related reasoning patterns4

Nearby structures let you perform the same reasoning move in a different form.

  1. The link from [X] to [Y] only makes sense if [Z] happens in between.Cause · same reasoning move · same study set · related logic
  2. [X] may have triggered [Y], but that does not make it the underlying cause.Cause · same reasoning move · same study set
  3. [X] may be necessary for [Y], but it is not sufficient on its own.Cause · same reasoning move · same study set
  4. What changed before [X], and what stayed the same?Cause · same reasoning move · same study set

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