are cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are cause for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the reason or justification for a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The recent changes in policy are cause for concern among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The LMA's statistics are cause for alarm.

The Guardian - Sport

All these trends are cause for concern.

The Guardian

Both are cause for applause, not apology.

The Washington Post

His results this year are cause for concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the findings are cause for concern.

The New York Times - Tech

Corporate profits are up" are cause for celebration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our differences are cause for celebration, not scorn.

The Washington Post

Extremes at both ends are cause for concern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And some explanations are cause for eye-rolling.

The New York Times

The education secretary Michael Gove has already recognised that these declines are cause for concern.

The Guardian

Considering the offence he is sentencing, the remarks are cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are cause for", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is leading to the specified outcome or emotion. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid confusing "cause for" with "cause of". "Cause of" refers to the direct reason something happened (e.g., "the cause of the accident"), while "cause for" indicates a reason to feel or act a certain way (e.g., "cause for concern").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are cause for" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something is the reason or justification for a particular emotion, action, or situation. Ludwig AI validates this usage based on numerous examples where it links a preceding event or condition to a subsequent reaction or feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are cause for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something warrants a particular response or emotion. According to Ludwig AI, it is used correctly in written English, and it predominantly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives such as "are grounds for" or "give rise to" exist, understanding the nuances of each option ensures precise and effective communication. Remember to differentiate its use from "cause of" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are the reason for

This alternative directly states that something is the explanation or justification for something else.

are grounds for

This alternative suggests a legal or formal justification for a specific action or decision.

are a source of

This alternative indicates that something is the origin or starting point of something else.

give rise to

This alternative shifts from a static description to an active verb, emphasizing the action of causing something.

constitute grounds for

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes that something is sufficient to justify a particular action.

lead to

This alternative indicates a sequential relationship, where one thing directly results in another.

result in

This alternative focuses on the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

are responsible for

This alternative implies a direct causal link and may suggest accountability.

prompt

This is a more concise verb that signifies the action of initiating or instigating something.

create

This alternative signifies the action of producing or bringing something into existence as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "are cause for" in a sentence?

The phrase "are cause for" indicates that something is a reason or justification for a particular feeling or action. For example, "These findings "are cause for concern"" means that the findings give reason to be worried.

What phrases can I use instead of "are cause for"?

Alternatives to "are cause for" include "are grounds for", "give rise to", or "lead to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is cause for" instead of "are cause for"?

The correctness depends on the subject. If the subject is plural, use "are cause for". If the subject is singular, use "is cause for". For example, "These results are cause for celebration," but "This result is cause for celebration".

What is the difference between "are cause for" and "are due to"?

"Are cause for" indicates a reason or justification, while "are due to" explains the direct cause or origin. For example, "These delays "are cause for concern"" (reason to worry), but "These delays "are due to" weather" (direct cause).