B2–C1 · CDG · XTHCDG003
The link from [X] to [Y] only makes sense if [Z] happens in between
A reusable frame from “Causal diagnosis”. Separate triggers from causes, compare mechanisms, and diagnose causal structure without treating sequence as proof.
Explanation
Между X и Y должен быть понятный механизм, иначе причинность остаётся красивой стрелкой.
Structure
The link from [X] to [Y] only makes sense if [Z] happens in between.Der Zusammenhang zwischen [X] und [Y] ergibt nur Sinn, wenn dazwischen [Z] passiert.03Try variations2 · more examples
- RU · Translation
Связь плохих данных с низким доверием понятна, если пользователи сталкиваются с непоследовательными результатами.
EN · EnglishThe link from bad data to low trust only makes sense if users repeatedly encounter inconsistent results in between.
DE · GermanDer Zusammenhang zwischen schlechten Daten und geringem Vertrauen ergibt nur Sinn, wenn Nutzer wiederholt inkonsistente Ergebnisse sehen.
- RU · Translation
Связь дополнительных проверок с падением пропускной способности понятна, если проверки расходуют ограниченное время ревьюеров.
EN · EnglishThe link from extra checks to lower throughput only makes sense if the checks consume constrained reviewer time.
DE · GermanDer Zusammenhang zwischen zusätzlichen Prüfungen und geringerem Durchsatz ergibt nur Sinn, wenn die Prüfungen knappe Prüferzeit verbrauchen.
Use this move when you want to…
Reasoning move · Cause
Cause
Make the intermediate mechanism between a proposed cause and outcome explicit.
Pattern graph
Continue with nearby patterns
Related reasoning patterns4
Nearby structures let you perform the same reasoning move in a different form.
- If [X] were the main cause, we would expect [Y]; if [Z] were, we would expect [W].Cause · same reasoning move · same study set · related logic
- [X] may have triggered [Y], but that does not make it the underlying cause.Cause · same reasoning move · same study set
- [X] may be necessary for [Y], but it is not sufficient on its own.Cause · same reasoning move · same study set
- What changed before [X], and what stayed the same?Cause · same reasoning move · same study set