cause a shift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cause a shift' is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, you would want to use the phrase 'cause a change.' For example, "The new policy caused a change in the county's approach to environmental issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surface states cause a shift of threshold voltage and saturation current.

Solid-State Electronics

We hypothesized that these changes would cause a shift in pneumococcal antibiotic resistance patterns.

Chest

Notably, the scaffold alteration seems to cause a shift in the selectivity profile of the inhibitors.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

A change in any of these conditions will cause a shift in the supply curve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But when new developments cause a shift in the public mood, his trusted advisers urge him to reconsider.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It could cause a shift in the meat component and drive people more towards poultry or pork".

The New York Times

"A storm can cause a shift in a sandbar overnight," he said, which could grind a ferry to a halt.

The New York Times

It's still possible that the right controversial statement could cause a shift in this year's polls, too.

The Guardian

This adaptation was also found to cause a shift in the subjects' judgment of visuotactile simultaneity by approximately 60 ms.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

But the new diagnostics and treatments may also cause a shift in the relationship between patient and doctor.

The Economist

Clinton's email scandal will probably go down in US political history as an "October surprise", a last-minute news event that can cause a shift in public opinion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of "cause a shift", use "cause a change" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing. Although "cause a shift" is widely used, it's not considered standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "shift" directly as a noun that is being caused. Use "change" instead. For example, instead of "the policy will cause a shift", write "the policy will cause a change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause a shift" functions as a verb phrase that aims to express initiation of movement or alteration. Although widely present in many contexts, Ludwig AI analysis points out that the phrase is not considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cause a shift" is frequently encountered in various contexts, including science and news media, Ludwig AI marks this expression as grammatically incorrect. Therefore, it's generally recommended to opt for the grammatically sound alternative, "cause a change", particularly in formal or professional writing. While "cause a shift" might be acceptable in informal settings, choosing "cause a change" ensures clarity and adherence to standard English grammar. Keep in mind that context is everything!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring about a change

Emphasizes the act of initiating or creating a change.

lead to a transformation

Focuses on the transformative nature of the resulting change.

trigger an alteration

Highlights the sudden or initiating aspect of the change.

induce a modification

Suggests a more formal or scientific context for causing change.

generate a transition

Implies a movement from one state to another.

create a difference

Focuses on the outcome of producing a distinction or variation.

produce a variation

Highlights the creation of something that differs from the norm.

initiate a development

Focuses on starting a process of growth or progress.

spark a revolution

Implies a drastic and widespread change.

foster a paradigm shift

Implies a fundamental change in thinking or approach.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "cause a shift"?

The grammatically correct way to express the idea of initiating a shift is to say "cause a change". While "cause a shift" is frequently used, it's not considered standard English.

What can I say instead of "cause a shift"?

You can use alternatives like "bring about a change", "lead to a transformation", or "trigger an alteration" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "cause a shift" or "cause a change"?

"Cause a change" is grammatically correct. "Cause a shift", while commonly used, is not considered standard English. Therefore, it's better to use "cause a change" in formal writing.

When is it acceptable to use "cause a shift"?

While not grammatically correct, "cause a shift" may be acceptable in informal contexts or when aiming for a less formal tone. However, in academic, professional, or formal writing, it's advisable to use "cause a change".