a cause for outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cause for outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that provokes strong feelings of anger or indignation among people. Example: "The decision to cut funding for public education was seen as a cause for outrage among parents and teachers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is a cause for outrage among people like Nathalie Bernier, another booker at Next. "It's insulting," Ms. Bernier said the other day.

The New York Times - Style

Both men are totally impassive, and discuss this in very matter-of-fact way, as if it is a matter of no surprise, and certainly not a cause for outrage.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The first-past-the-post electoral system, however, was thought to be in workable shape — unwieldy, perhaps, and long overdue, some said, for structural reform, but not in itself a cause for Dickensian outrage.

The New Yorker

Manning, whose extreme solitary confinement has been a kind of brutalization and a cause for international outrage, has expressed remorse for passing along the secret documents.

Los Angeles Times

Harvard law professor (and Brooklyn College alumnus) Alan Dershowitz and New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind successfully canvassed support from a number of politicians, and managed to transform a standard panel discussion on a controversial issue into a cause for pious outrage.

Huffington Post

This should be a cause for national outrage and every citizen must make it their duty to stamp out this evil afflicting Zimbabwe's children".

Unicef

A better cause for outrage should have been the fact that (except in small claims) litigants in England are exposed to extravagant, disproportionate and unpredictable costs.

The Guardian

For Barlett and all the critics within the system and outside it whom Vlahos has consulted for her story, it is the privacy of attorney-client communication that is a prime cause for outrage.

Huffington Post

"If ever there was a clear-cut cause for outrage, it is the concerted campaign by Greenpeace and other nongovernmental organisations, as well as by individuals, against golden rice," they wrote.

Independent

They wrote: "If ever there was a clear-cut cause for outrage, it is the concerted campaign by Greenpeace and other non-governmental organisations, as well as by individuals, against golden rice".

BBC

It is an important benchmark, but a world in which a billion people live on $1.26 a day would contain as much cause for outrage as the one we live in today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cause for outrage", ensure the context clearly explains why the situation warrants such a strong reaction. Provide specific details to justify the outrage.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause for outrage" when the situation is only mildly irritating or inconvenient. Reserve this phrase for instances that genuinely provoke strong anger or indignation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause for outrage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific reason or event that provokes strong feelings of anger, indignation, or resentment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cause for outrage" is a noun phrase used to denote a situation that evokes strong negative emotions, primarily anger and indignation. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in diverse writing contexts, as exemplified by its presence in various sources, predominantly news and media. While not exceedingly common, it's a powerful expression when used appropriately, emphasizing the seriousness of a situation and potentially spurring action. Alternatives such as ""a reason for indignation"" or ""a matter for concern"" can be used for varied emphasis and emotional intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reason for indignation

Replaces "outrage" with "indignation", suggesting a more controlled or formal expression of anger.

a source of indignation

Shifts from "cause" to "source", emphasizing the origin of the feeling rather than the reason.

a reason for anger

Substitutes "outrage" with the more basic emotion of "anger", simplifying the sentiment.

justification for anger

This alternative makes it explicit that there is a valid basis for feeling angry.

an occasion for uproar

Replaces "outrage" with "uproar", suggesting a more public and chaotic display of displeasure.

something to be angry about

This alternative changes the structure to be more conversational and informal.

a matter for concern

Replaces "outrage" with "concern", indicating a milder, more thoughtful reaction.

a basis for protest

Focuses on the potential action resulting from the outrage, namely "protest".

grounds for complaint

Indicates a justification for formally expressing dissatisfaction.

reason for objection

Highlights the act of disagreeing or opposing something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a cause for outrage" in a sentence?

Use "a cause for outrage" to describe events or situations that provoke strong feelings of anger or indignation. For example, "The company's decision to lay off employees without notice was "a cause for outrage" among the remaining staff".

What are some alternatives to "a cause for outrage"?

You can use alternatives such as "a reason for indignation", "a source of indignation", or "a matter for concern" depending on the context.

Is "a cause of outrage" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "a cause of outrage" is less common and idiomatic than ""a cause for outrage"". The latter is the more standard and accepted phrasing.

When is it appropriate to use "a cause for outrage"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation that generates significant anger or indignation due to perceived injustice, unfairness, or wrongdoing. It is stronger than simply saying something is disappointing or unfortunate.