ability to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's or something's capacity to bring about a particular effect or result. Example: "The ability to cause change is essential for effective leadership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has the ability to cause our opponents lots of defensive headaches.

The Guardian - Sport

One common warning concerns its supposed ability to cause cancer in the colon.

The Guardian

It also increased the bacteria's virulence, enhancing its ability to cause infection.

The Guardian

This gives perpetrators the ability to cause substantial damage to a big organisation.

The Guardian

Benzene is especially noxious, with the ability to cause bone marrow cancer and leukemia.

The Guardian

Low humidity also reduces vigor of larvae and hence reduces their ability to cause damage.

Nature

"Even 'clean' products have the ability to cause sensitivity and allergy," she adds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A character may, for example, get lucky and unlock an ability to cause significantly more damage.

The Guardian - Games

Sharing few of their values, he consistently tried to limit their ability to cause disorder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Engineering these four myopathic determinants into an amyopathic CVB1T variant restored the ability to cause PVM.

Virology

"Big systems with catastrophic potential and the ability to cause widespread damage still usually fail in prosaic ways," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, pair "ability to cause" with specific, measurable outcomes to enhance clarity. For example, instead of just saying "the policy has the ability to cause change", specify "the policy has the ability to cause a 10% reduction in carbon emissions".

Common error

Avoid using "ability to cause" in excessively passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of saying "problems have the ability to be caused by this", directly state "this can cause problems" for a more impactful and direct message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to cause" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI shows it describes the inherent capacity of something to produce a particular effect. This is consistent with both exact matches and similar examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the capacity of something to bring about a particular effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, from news and media to science and encyclopedias. While highly versatile, it's important to use the phrase actively and avoid passive constructions for greater impact. Consider alternatives like "capacity to produce" or "potential to generate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to produce

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", focusing on the potential to generate something.

power to create

Emphasizes the strength and potential inherent in initiating or forming something.

potential to generate

Highlights the possibility of bringing something into existence or causing it to develop.

capability of triggering

Focuses on the aptitude to initiate or set off a specific action or event.

aptitude for inducing

Emphasizes a natural or learned readiness to bring about a particular state or condition.

skill at provoking

Highlights proficiency in eliciting a response or reaction, often one that is strong or unexpected.

means of affecting

Indicates the method or resources available to have an influence or impact on something.

chance of resulting in

Emphasizes the likelihood or possibility that a particular outcome will occur.

likelihood of generating

Focuses on the probability of producing or creating a particular outcome.

facility in bringing about

Highlights the ease and competence in causing a specific outcome or result.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to cause" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to cause" to describe something's capacity to produce a specific effect. For example, "The drug has the ability to cause drowsiness" or "The new policy has the ability to cause significant change".

What are some alternatives to "ability to cause"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "capacity to produce", "power to create", or "potential to generate".

Which is correct, "ability to cause" or "ability of causing"?

"Ability to cause" is the correct infinitive form. "Ability of causing" is grammatically incorrect. Use "ability to cause" followed by a noun or noun phrase representing the effect.

What is the difference between "ability to cause" and "tendency to cause"?

"Ability to cause" refers to the inherent capacity or power to produce a result, while "tendency to cause" implies a predisposition or likelihood of producing that result. "Ability to cause" suggests a potential that may or may not be realized, whereas "tendency to cause" suggests a more probable outcome.