agree to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree to cause" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express consent to take action or to create a specific outcome, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "We need to agree to cause a positive change in our community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both were determined to resist Soviet advances and so could quickly agree to make common cause.

The New York Times

I couldn't help feeling that the lock-on guys had the most at stake, so we grabbed a cup of tea, as the rest of the troops hit the hay, so I could find out what had driven them to agree to get nicked for the cause.

Vice

Make sure nothing you do or agree to will cause harm.

WikiHow

However, complainants may not even agree to that, causing trouble and even threatening the safety of health care providers.

BMJ Open

Both stores apologised for any offence caused and agreed to make donations to the mental health charity, Mind.

BBC

Finance specialists are also calling for the immediate suspension of the WTO's financial services negotiations, which aim to further liberalise and deregulate financial markets despite the fact that such liberalisation is widely agreed to have been a primary cause of the current crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is there any reason this for-profit institution is claiming that the "recent federal budget cuts" are reducing the amounts we are allowed to borrow on the Federal Direct loans that we have already received and agreed to, which cause us to have to pay out of pocket by a certain date to prevent involuntary termination from said institution?

The New York Times

In both surveys, about 10%% of deaths were categorized as "not-classified" for which it was either impossible to assign a cause of death on the basis of information collected through VA or the reviewing physicians could not agree to a single cause of death.

BMC Public Health

If you agree to this, it can cause big problems if the sale falls through and you try to get compensation.

The Guardian - Money

A widow from Nongoma said: Autopsy, I will agree to find the cause of death … however, in my situation, he belongs to his family who has a final say ….

Global Health Action

In the wake of the disclosures in the mid-1980s tied tied a number of players to recreational drugs, particularly cocaine, the players union agreed to reasonable-cause testing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "agree to cause" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "consent to create" or "commit to effect".

Common error

Be cautious about using "agree to cause" in professional documents. It often sounds awkward and can obscure your intended meaning. Instead, choose a more direct and appropriate verb to express your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree to cause" functions as a verb phrase where "agree" acts as the main verb and "to cause" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the action to which one is consenting. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not considered correct, suggesting that it is grammatically awkward and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "agree to cause" might appear in some writing, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect and lacking clarity. It aims to express consent to bring about a particular outcome, but there are better alternatives available. Because of its potential for awkwardness and ambiguity, it is advisable to use more precise language such as "consent to create", "commit to effect", or "agree to bring about". These alternatives offer clearer and more idiomatic ways to convey the intended meaning, enhancing the overall quality of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consent to create

This alternative focuses on giving permission for something to be created or brought about.

commit to effect

This phrase emphasizes a firm decision to produce a particular outcome or result.

agree to bring about

This option highlights the act of causing something to happen or exist.

agree to generate

This alternative suggests causing something to be produced or created.

agree to instigate

This phrase indicates agreement to initiate or start something, potentially leading to further consequences.

agree to trigger

This implies causing something to start or initiate a chain of events.

agree to prompt

This means to encourage or cause something to happen.

agree to produce

This option highlights the act of causing something to be made or created.

agree to contribute to

Focuses on contributing to an effect rather than directly causing it.

agree to play a part in

This phrase emphasizes the role in bringing about an event.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "agree to cause"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "consent to create", "commit to effect", or "agree to bring about".

Is "agree to cause" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "agree to cause" is generally considered awkward and unclear. It's best to use more precise and common phrasing to avoid confusion.

How can I use "agree to" correctly in a sentence?

Use "agree to" followed by a verb that directly and clearly expresses the intended action or outcome. For example, "agree to participate", "agree to the terms", or "agree to help".

When is it appropriate to use "agree to cause"?

It's rarely the best choice. In most situations, there are clearer and more idiomatic ways to express the idea of consenting to bring something about. Strive for clarity and precision in your writing.