cause a trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause a trend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the influence of an action, event, or phenomenon that leads to a change in behavior or popularity over time. Example: "The introduction of electric vehicles has begun to cause a trend towards more sustainable transportation options."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These authors, along with Smith et al. (2011) and Lossow et al. ([2012]), point out that any trend in timing of the reversal of the stratospheric jet could cause a trend in SH PMC onset.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Mid-20th century Marxist historians were both interested in, and generally sympathetic to, the rebel cause, a trend culminating in Hilton's 1973 account of the uprising, set against the context of wider peasant revolts across Europe during the period.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The authors of the report argue that stricter environmental regulations in the developed world have caused a trend toward exporting hazardous materials to the poorest countries, where occupational and environmental protections are inadequate.

The New York Times

Dabigatran levels rebound in the terminal elimination phase due to the large volume of distribution reportedly as high as 87% in one single-center case series causing a trend in coagulation assay levels to pre-hemodialysis levels.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) had been widely used and its exposure in children has been thought to be one of the reasons causing a trend of advanced pubertal timing in girls.

Toxicology

Overall, this has caused a trend towards more active but quickly-silenced, closely spaced volcanoes whereas volcanoes on the near side of the hotspot overlap each other (forming such superstructures as Hawaii island and the ancient Maui Nui), the oldest of the Emperor seamounts are spaced as far as 200 km apart.

Wikipedia

Furthermore, UAG treatment caused a trend towards decreased levels of hepatic TAG after only 6 h (Figure S2).

Plosone

Intestinal CD97 overexpression decreased the number of tumors in the colon significantly in the Tg2 line and caused a trend toward fewer tumors in Tg1 mice (fig. 2b).

Plosone

Addition of 5 μmol/L ranolazine caused a trend toward a reduction in the incidence of TdP to 5 ± 3/experiment that was, however, not statistically significant (P = 0.37).

Cardiovascular Therapeutics

Treating SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma-derived cells with leptin (100 and 500 ng/ml) caused a trend of downregulation of miR-221 (Fig.  2b).

Diabetologia

In line with the above results that SCI causes a trend of trabecular bone impairment in humerus, we detected only a non-significant decrease in trabecular bone stiffness in this region after SCI.

Bone Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause a trend", consider the specific mechanism or reason behind the trend's emergence to provide a more informative and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cause a trend" when the evidence only suggests a minor or localized effect. Ensure there is sufficient evidence of widespread adoption or influence to justify the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause a trend" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that something or someone is responsible for starting or influencing a notable shift in behavior, popularity, or style. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s about the influence of an action leading to change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause a trend" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the initiation of a new pattern or shift in behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid expression, but its usage should be carefully considered based on the context. Given its relatively rare occurrence, selecting more descriptive alternatives like "initiate a trend" or "spark a trend" may provide more impact. Ensure that the trend is significant and widespread before attributing its cause using this phrase. The phrase appears most often in scientific and news media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate a trend

Focuses on the act of starting or setting a new trend.

spark a trend

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful beginning of a trend.

generate a trend

Highlights the creation or production of a new trend.

drive a trend

Suggests actively influencing and propelling a trend forward.

fuel a trend

Implies providing the necessary support or resources for a trend to grow.

create a fad

Similar to causing a trend, but suggests a shorter-lived phenomenon.

establish a pattern

Focuses on creating a recurring behavior or style.

set a precedent

Implies creating an example or standard for others to follow.

pioneer a movement

Suggests leading the way in a new direction or change.

instigate a fashion

Specifically refers to starting a new style or fashion.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause a trend" to describe how an action, event, or phenomenon influences widespread behavior or popularity. For example, "The launch of the new app caused a trend of increased social media engagement."

What's a good alternative to "cause a trend"?

Consider alternatives like "initiate a trend", "spark a trend", or "generate a trend" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "cause a trend"?

Ensure the trend is significant and widespread before using "cause a trend". If the effect is limited, consider using weaker terms like "influence" or "contribute to".

What is the difference between "cause a trend" and "follow a trend"?

"Cause a trend" implies initiating or creating a new pattern of behavior, while "follow a trend" suggests adopting or conforming to an already existing pattern.