Comments on: Causative or Causal?

By: BriwnWren

BriwnWren — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:48:02 +0000

So, it seems, there is a causal relationship between a causative and its result.

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By: John

John — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:55:46 +0000

I'd say that causative would mean that the agent is the direct cause of the disease, whereas if you use the word causal, I'd expect it to be perhaps one of several candidates, or perhaps one in a series of possible steps in causing the disease.

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By: Douglas

Douglas — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:34:27 +0000

'Causal' means of or relating to cause or arising from a cause. 'Causative' means operating as a cause or expressing a cause. In describing an etiological agent, 'causative' is the accurate word. 'Causal' would be used to describe the relation between the agent and the infirmity.

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