bring trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"Bring trouble" is perfectly valid and grammatically correct in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone's behavior or actions are likely to cause problems or difficulties in the future. For example, "His impulsive decision to quit his job is sure to bring trouble eventually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Ideas like these bring trouble.

The New York Times - Magazine

Failure to comply can bring trouble.

The New York Times - Travel

But groups of teenagers sometimes bring trouble.

The New York Times

The world looming beyond his plot can only bring trouble.

The New York Times

Joyce had always guessed that "Ulysses" would bring trouble.

The New Yorker

Such a pipeline could bring trouble as well as wealth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Optimization problems in the design of radar waveforms such as polyphase code design often bring troubles to designers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It is worthy to be noted that contour occluding could be generated due to the different viewpoints of the two cameras and may bring troubles for stereo correspondence matching especially for a short distance with a wider baseline.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

They also brought trouble.

The New York Times - Magazine

Idleness brought trouble.

The New York Times

But this brightness boom has brought trouble.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring trouble", consider the severity and scope of the potential problems. Choose more specific alternatives like "cause problems" or "invite disaster" to convey the nuance accurately.

Common error

While "bring trouble" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the writing sound simplistic. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "lead to complications" or "precipitate a crisis" to enhance the writing's professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring trouble" functions as a verb phrase, where "bring" is the verb and "trouble" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct. This phrase is used to indicate that an action or situation will likely result in problems or difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring trouble" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a verb phrase to indicate that something will likely cause problems or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. While appropriate for many contexts, more formal alternatives like "lead to complications" might be preferable in professional settings. The phrase sees frequent usage in "News & Media", and less frequent usage in "Formal & Business" contexts. Remembering the potential for oversimplification in formal writing and considering context-specific synonyms enhances clarity and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause problems

This alternative is a more general way of saying "bring trouble", focusing on the creation of problems.

create difficulties

This alternative emphasizes the creation of challenging situations.

lead to complications

This suggests that the action will result in complex or difficult situations.

stir up unrest

This alternative implies that the trouble involves public disturbance or dissatisfaction.

invite disaster

This phrase indicates that the action is likely to result in a catastrophic event.

spell disaster

Suggests a future outcome will be calamitous.

precipitate a crisis

This suggests the action will hasten a critical and unstable situation.

cause a stir

This alternative is a more casual way of saying "bring trouble", focusing on creating a disruption.

open a can of worms

This idiom suggests that the action will uncover a series of unexpected and unpleasant problems.

rock the boat

This idiom implies that the action will disrupt a stable situation and potentially cause conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "bring trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "bring trouble" to indicate that an action or situation is likely to cause problems or difficulties. For example, "His decision to ignore the warning signs will "bring trouble" eventually."

What are some alternatives to "bring trouble"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "cause problems", "create difficulties", or "lead to complications".

Is it better to use "bring trouble" or "cause trouble"?

"Bring trouble" and "cause trouble" are often interchangeable, but "cause trouble" might be more direct. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.

Can "bring trouble" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "bring trouble" can be used in formal writing, but it's often better to opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "lead to complications" or "precipitate a crisis" to enhance formality.