are able to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are able to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the capability or potential of someone or something to bring about a particular effect or result. Example: "These chemicals are able to cause significant changes in the environment if not handled properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Palestinians are weak, and yet they are able to cause Israel great pain.

The New York Times

It seems possible they are able to cause much more damage before Palmyra can be 'rescued'rescued

The Guardian

Oxygen derived radicals are able to cause damage to membranes, mitochondria, and macromolecules including proteins, lipids and DNA.

Clinical Biochemistry

The impact forces can reach 20,000 kN and are able to cause damage to a ship.

Ocean Engineering

By repeatedly flipping the magnetic field, the researchers are able to cause a minute vibration in the cantilever arm which can then be measured by a laser beam.

The New York Times - Science

They are able to cause apparently impossible things to happen merely because they are no longer confined by the barriers which exist for more ordinary people".

The Guardian - Sport

Importantly, we have shown that NPs are non-toxic and are able to cause loss of plasmid in vivo and as an adjuvant along with meropenem, it caused a significant reduction in bacterial bioburden relative to meropenem treatment alone.

Nature

Given the potential implications of trace metal accumulation within the myocardium, our goal is to determine if metallic coronary stents are able to cause detectable elevations in serum cobalt and/or chromium levels.

Heart, Lung and Circulation

In the case of cargo transfer operations, the adaptive control system is able to significantly increase the cargo throughput by rejecting the disturbances before they are able to cause large pitching dynamics.

Ocean Engineering

We consider that these spatial inhomogeneities propagating equatorward are able to cause relative motion of plasma across the bubble boundary.

Earth, Planets and Space

In subsequent set reconciliations, ℓ i can be used to bound the traffic that malicious peers are able to cause by falsely claiming to have a large number of elements missing.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are able to cause", ensure the subject clearly identifies what possesses the capacity to cause the effect. For example, "These chemicals are able to cause significant changes..." clarifies the agent of change.

Common error

Avoid using "are able to cause" when the effect is not a direct or highly probable outcome. Instead, consider alternatives like "may contribute to" or "could potentially lead to" to convey uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are able to cause" functions as a verb phrase expressing the potential or capacity for something to bring about a particular result. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from scientific explanations to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are able to cause" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the potential or capacity of something to produce a specific effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found in a range of contexts, from scientific literature to news reports, and is employed to highlight a causal relationship. While widely applicable, users should ensure the certainty of causation is appropriately conveyed and consider more concise alternatives like "can cause" when appropriate. The usage patterns show its prevalence in scientific and news-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can bring about

Emphasizes the action of causing something to happen.

have the capacity to create

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to generate something.

are capable of producing

Highlights the competence or skill in creating a specific outcome.

have the potential to trigger

Implies a possible initiation or activation of a specific event or process.

can lead to

Indicates a directional effect, suggesting a consequence or result.

may give rise to

Suggests a potential origin or reason for something to occur.

are in a position to effect

Highlights the situational advantage or readiness to produce a change.

may be instrumental in

Suggests a crucial role in facilitating or causing a particular outcome.

can result in

Points out a specific consequence or effect that might arise.

may contribute to

Suggests a partial or supporting role in causing something.

FAQs

How can I use "are able to cause" in a sentence?

Use "are able to cause" to indicate the potential or capability of something to produce a particular effect or result. For example, "Certain pollutants "are able to cause" respiratory problems."

What can I say instead of "are able to cause"?

You can use alternatives like "can lead to", "may cause", or "have the potential to cause" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "can cause" instead of "are able to cause"?

Both "can cause" and "are able to cause" are grammatically correct, but "can cause" is often more concise and direct. "Are able to cause" may be used when emphasizing the capacity or potential.

What is the difference between "are able to cause" and "are likely to cause"?

"Are able to cause" indicates the capability to produce an effect, while "are likely to cause" suggests a higher probability of that effect occurring. The latter implies a greater likelihood.