cause a crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause a crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that leads to a significant problem or emergency. Example: "The sudden loss of funding could cause a crisis for the entire organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

He thought this might cause a crisis.

The New Yorker

That won't help growth and might cause a crisis.

The New York Times

Ewing warned that changing previously agreed subsidies would cause a crisis of confidence with business.

The Guardian

It states flatly, "excess liquidity did not need to cause a crisis".

The New Yorker

(Moody's, a third agency, is less grumpy).A downgrade would not in itself cause a crisis.

The Economist

"The governor should be careful that he doesn't cause a crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Dementia is characterised by impaired memory and control of behaviour and emotions [ 6], and dementia can cause a crisis-like state involving mental and spiritual pain and suffering [ 7- 9], such as loneliness, grief and fear.

BMC Nursing

The kidnapping caused a crisis.

The Economist

The tent caused a crisis, however, among the charity women.

The New Yorker

This caused a crisis of confidence in money-market funds.

The Economist

But whatever the cause of the refugee crisis, it has undeniably caused a crisis of identity within Sweden itself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause a crisis", ensure the context clearly identifies what action or situation is the direct reason for the crisis to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cause a crisis" for situations that are merely inconveniences or minor problems. Reserve this phrase for scenarios involving significant disruption or emergency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause a crisis" functions as a verb phrase where "cause" is the transitive verb indicating the action of bringing about a situation, and "a crisis" serves as the direct object. It describes how an action or event leads to a critical or unstable state. This analysis aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause a crisis" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe situations or actions leading to a critical event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and effectively communicates the idea of initiating a significant problem. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it warns or informs about potentially destabilizing events. Alternatives include phrases like "trigger a crisis" or "precipitate a crisis", though the specific context may favor one over another. Remember to reserve "cause a crisis" for genuinely serious situations, and to clearly identify what leads to the crisis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger a crisis

Replaces "cause" with "trigger", emphasizing the initiation of the crisis.

precipitate a crisis

Uses "precipitate" to suggest a more sudden and rapid onset of the crisis.

spark a crisis

Substitutes "cause" with "spark", implying a crisis that ignites quickly.

lead to a crisis

Replaces "cause" with "lead to", focusing on the consequential aspect of the action.

generate a crisis

Uses "generate" to suggest the creation of a crisis.

create a crisis

Emphasizes the act of bringing a crisis into existence.

instigate a crisis

Implies a more deliberate action of starting a crisis.

foster a crisis

Indicates that conditions are such as to stimulate a crisis.

bring about a crisis

Suggests the action facilitates the development of the crisis.

give rise to a crisis

Replaces "cause" with "give rise to", indicating the crisis emerges as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "cause a crisis" in a sentence?

You can use "cause a crisis" to describe actions or events that lead to a critical situation. For example: "The sudden withdrawal of international aid could cause a crisis in the region."

What are some alternatives to "cause a crisis"?

Some alternatives include "trigger a crisis", "precipitate a crisis", or "lead to a crisis". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause a crisis" or "create a crisis"?

Both "cause a crisis" and "create a crisis" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Cause" emphasizes the action that results in the crisis, while "create" emphasizes the emergence of the crisis itself.

What kind of situations warrant the use of "cause a crisis"?

Use "cause a crisis" when describing situations that result in significant problems, emergencies, or disruptions. It is appropriate for events with wide-ranging negative consequences, rather than minor inconveniences.