are causing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are causing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or effect that is currently happening. Example: "The heavy rains are causing flooding in several areas of the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its powers are causing alarm.

The Economist

The other threats are causing similar concern.

Independent

E-books, however, are causing heartache.

The Economist

Humans are causing global warming.

The Guardian

The shifting rules are causing confusion.

The Guardian

Now, falling prices are causing major upheaval.

The New York Times - Tech

The current ones are causing enough harm.

The New York Times - Science

Rumors of clowns are causing hysteria.

The Guardian - Opinion

BA cabin crew strikes are causing havoc.

The Guardian

Fears of cutbacks are causing widespread anxiety.

The New York Times

Right now, our plans are causing plenty of controversy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your causal language. While "are causing" is correct, using synonyms like "are leading to" or "are resulting in" adds depth and avoids monotony in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid assuming a direct causal relationship when only a correlation exists. Just because two events occur together does not mean one is necessarily "causing" the other. Be certain about the nature of causation, to provide clear and accurate information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are causing" functions as a verb phrase indicating that the subject is actively producing a particular effect or outcome. Ludwig's examples show it used across various contexts to describe ongoing actions and their direct results, in line with Ludwig AI verification that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are causing" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile verb phrase used to denote that a subject is actively producing a specific effect. As validated by Ludwig, its applications span a range of contexts, from news reporting to scientific analysis. While "are leading to" and "are resulting in" offer similar meanings, "are causing" directly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. This makes it a powerful tool for explaining phenomena and assigning responsibility. Remember that proper attribution is important to establish accurate causation. Being such a common phrase you should vary your causal language with alternatives like "are triggering" or "are contributing to" to enhance expressiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are leading to

This alternative shifts the focus slightly from direct causation to the consequence or outcome of an action.

are resulting in

Similar to "are leading to", this phrase emphasizes the outcome as a result of the initial action.

are generating

This phrase emphasizes the production or creation of something as a result of an action.

are triggering

This suggests a more immediate and direct causation, often implying a rapid sequence of events.

are contributing to

This phrase indicates that something is one of several factors influencing an outcome, rather than the sole cause.

are bringing about

This suggests a more significant or transformative effect.

are prompting

Indicates that something is encouraging or initiating an action or response.

are fostering

Implies a nurturing or supportive role in the development of something.

are inducing

This suggests a more formal or scientific context, implying a controlled or predictable causation.

are responsible for

Places direct accountability for the outcome on the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "are causing" in a sentence?

Use "are causing" to indicate that something is actively producing a particular effect or result. For example, "The heavy rains "are causing flooding" in the low-lying areas".

What can I say instead of "are causing"?

You can use alternatives such as "are leading to", "are resulting in", or "are generating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are causing" or "is causing"?

"Are causing" is used with plural subjects, while "is causing" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The factors are causing problems" (plural) versus "The factor is causing problems" (singular).

What is the difference between "are causing" and "are contributing to"?

"Are causing" implies a more direct and primary causation, whereas "are contributing to" suggests that something is one of several factors influencing the result. The first one express stronger causation.