cause a threat

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause a threat" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe the result of a particular action or situation. For example, "The rise in water levels could cause a threat to nearby towns and villages".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

My concern is that you do not cause a threat to my facility when you're incarcerated".

The New York Times

Does the exposure of their techniques cause a threat to our security or does it just cause them embarrassment...?" No idea what happened to the fourth.

Independent

Uate and his fellow winger Marika Koroibete continued to cause a threat in the second half but Samoa hung on and gave themselves hope with a 58th-minute try from left winger Antonio Winterstein.

The Guardian - Sport

This led to concern that H6N1 virus may cause a threat to public health.

Antiviral Research

The intensive use of natural resources and production of wastes in modern society often cause a threat to groundwater quality that have resulted in many incidents of groundwater contamination.

Applied Water Science

Motherwell caretaker manager Kenny Black: "To cause a threat you've got to move the ball a lot better than we did and you've got to pass the ball a lot better.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Marta has capabilities unlike any other female player and causes a threat that can never be ignored by an opposition's defense.

The New York Times

The PRA's fine will be for issues that may have caused a threat to the stability of the financial system, while the FCA will tackle issues that had an impact on customers.

The Guardian - Business

COMMODITY PRICE INDEX Mozambique and Madagascar are not the only countries where natural disasters have recently destroyed crops and caused a threat of starvation, according to a new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The Economist

These pressures include the sex-ratio imbalance — which "causes a threat to social stability" — and the "low quality of the general population, which makes it hard to meet the requirements of fierce competition for national strength," according to the State Council.

The New York Times

The disappearance of semi-natural grasslands has caused a threat to the biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

Biological Conservation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause a threat", ensure the context clearly defines what is being threatened and the potential consequences. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cause a threat" without specifying the nature of the threat or to whom or what the threat is directed. Vague statements can diminish the phrase's impact and leave the reader unsure of the actual danger involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause a threat" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as the main verb and "a threat" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase correctly describes the result of an action or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause a threat" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe situations or actions that lead to potential danger or harm. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of this phrase. While not overly common, appearing mostly in news and scientific contexts, it effectively communicates the creation or origination of a threat. When using the phrase, it's important to be specific about the nature of the threat and what is being threatened to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "pose a danger" or "create a risk" may be used to achieve different tones or emphasize specific aspects of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pose a danger

Replaces "threat" with "danger", focusing on the inherent risk involved.

create a risk

Substitutes "threat" with "risk", emphasizing the probability of harm.

present a hazard

Uses "hazard" instead of "threat", highlighting a source of potential harm or difficulty.

constitute a menace

Employs "menace" to replace "threat", suggesting a more active and intentional source of danger.

give rise to peril

Replaces "cause a threat" with a more formal expression, "give rise to peril".

engender insecurity

Shifts focus to the feeling of unsafety, rather than the direct source of danger.

lead to vulnerability

Highlights the resulting susceptibility to harm, differing from the direct causation of a threat.

spark alarm

Focuses on the reaction that a potential threat provokes, rather than the threat itself.

raise concerns

Indicates a worry about potential negative outcomes, a step before a full-blown threat.

invite vulnerability

Suggests indirectly making one susceptible to negative factors.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cause a threat" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "pose a danger", "present a hazard", or "constitute a menace". These options often carry a more serious and deliberate connotation.

What verbs can I use instead of "cause" when describing a threat?

Instead of "cause", you can use verbs like "pose", "present", "create", "engender", or "generate". For example, "pose a threat" or "create a risk" /s/create+a+risk are alternatives to "cause a threat".

How to clearly define the threat when using "cause a threat"?

Be specific about what is being threatened and who or what is at risk. Instead of saying "the policy causes a threat", specify "the policy causes a threat to national security" or "the policy causes a threat to public health".

Is it always necessary to use "a" before "threat" in the phrase "cause a threat"?

In most cases, yes. The phrase typically requires the indefinite article "a" because it refers to a single, unspecified instance of a threat. Omitting "a" might be acceptable in very specific contexts where the threat is collective or uncountable, but those instances are rare.