cause an effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause an effect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two events (or actions) that are connected causally—one event leads to or causes the other event to occur. For example, "Changes in the environment can cause an effect on human health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

An entity that can cause an effect of a certain type has a tendency of some strength to produce such an effect.

SEP

"You can't choke rats with enough salmon to cause an effect other than choking," he said.

The New York Times

Instead, what it has are extremely high commercial rents, which cause an effect that is not dissimilar.

The New Yorker

That includes spacecraft, subatomic particles, radio signals, or anything that might convey information or cause an effect.

The Guardian

They cause an effect similar in some ways to cannabis – but are many times more potent, and the effects are hugely unpredictable.

The Guardian

Relatively low concentrations of the chemicals – which previously were thought to be too low to cause an effect – triggered the catsper reaction in test-tube studies.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It denotes the concentration which causes an effect of xx %.

Environmental Sciences Europe

This manipulation caused an effect on visual size perception.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Once activated, they initiate signalling cascades, phosphorylating downstream proteins and causing an effect.

British Journal of Cancer

Finally, confounding could be present for example, actual treatment associated with preferences causing an effect.

British Medical Journal

This will cause an alkalizing effect and increase the pH.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a cause-and-effect relationship, be specific about both the cause and the effect to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cause an effect" in overly broad statements that lack specific details. Always provide context to make the relationship clear and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause an effect" functions as a verb phrase indicating a causal relationship between two events or actions. It highlights the action of something leading to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause an effect" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a causal relationship between two events or actions. Ludwig AI validates this, noting its function is to explain how one thing leads to another. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone and suitable for various contexts, it appears most frequently in scientific and news-related sources. When using "cause an effect", be sure to provide specific details about both the cause and the effect to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "produce a result" or "generate a consequence" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

produce a result

Focuses on the outcome of the action, rather than the act of causing.

generate a consequence

Emphasizes the follow-on nature of the effect.

create an impact

Highlights the strength or significance of the effect.

lead to an outcome

Focuses on the sequential relationship between the cause and the effect.

bring about a change

Highlights the alteration resulting from the cause.

give rise to a phenomenon

More formal and suitable for scientific or academic contexts.

initiate a process

Focuses on the start of a series of events.

trigger a reaction

Suggests a prompt or immediate response.

set in motion an event

Implies a broader, more complex unfolding.

have an influence

Indicates a more subtle or indirect causal relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "cause an effect" in a sentence?

Use "cause an effect" to describe how one event or action leads to a specific outcome. For instance, "Pollution can "cause an effect" on the environment".

What are some alternatives to "cause an effect"?

You can use alternatives like "produce a result", "generate a consequence", or "create an impact" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "cause an effect" or "have an effect"?

"Cause an effect" emphasizes the action of bringing about a result, while "have an effect" simply indicates that something has an impact. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the action or the impact.

What is the difference between "cause an effect" and "result in"?

"Cause an effect" focuses on the initial action and its immediate consequence, whereas "result in" emphasizes the final outcome of a process or series of events. For example, changes in policy can "result in" significant societal changes.