cause any suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause any suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact of actions or events on individuals or groups, particularly in contexts related to ethics, morality, or emotional well-being. Example: "The decision to close the community center may cause any suffering among the residents who rely on its services."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This study was reviewed by the YNPRC veterinary staff to ensure that the social and physical conditions did not cause any suffering or stress for the monkeys, and was approved by Emory University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Finally, of course, no one has carried out any scientific experiments to see whether eating GM crops in America has caused any "suffering".

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, Judge Aleta A. Trauger of Federal District Court in Nashville said in a decision in September, "No medical testimony supports the proposition that the one-drug protocol causes any suffering or that it prolongs the pronouncement of death".

The New York Times

Even according to international humanitarian law, states have a responsibility not to cause any unnecessary suffering and to protect populations under their jurisdiction and control.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Defra also pointed out that is a criminal offence for "hobby breeders" to "cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or fail to provide for its welfare".

BBC

The animals are observed daily and those that appear gravely ill or moribund are routinely euthanized so as not to cause any undue suffering.

Plosone

It will test whether trained marksmen can shoot a badger in the heart and/or lung area without causing any unnecessary suffering, meet the planned cull targets and ensure there is no risk to public safety.

BBC

Power is the power to cause suffering, not for any reason, but because that's what one does.

Vice

Sadly they cause much suffering".

Independent

Delays in diagnosis also cause prolonged suffering, says the report.

The Guardian

He will cause more suffering, but he won't succeed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about potential consequences of actions, using "cause any suffering" helps emphasize the emotional and ethical dimensions of the outcome. This makes the impact on individuals more palpable and relatable.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when describing who or what is causing the suffering. Instead of saying "Suffering was caused," specify the agent: "The policy may "cause suffering"". This makes your writing more direct and accountable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause any suffering" functions as a verb phrase expressing the potential to inflict pain or distress. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase commonly appears in contexts concerning ethics, morality, and well-being. Examples illustrate its role in assessing the impact of actions on individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Vice

5%

The Guardian - Opinion

3%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause any suffering" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily used to discuss the potential for actions or events to inflict pain or distress. Ludwig AI confirms its relevance in ethical and moral contexts. Common across news, scientific and general writing, the phrase emphasizes the importance of avoiding harm. To improve writing, focus on directly stating the agent causing the suffering and actively minimizing passive constructions. Consider alternatives like "inflict pain" or "create distress" for nuanced expression. Overall, "cause any suffering" effectively conveys concern and responsibility in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict any pain

Replaces "suffering" with the more direct term "pain", focusing on physical or emotional hurt.

create any distress

Substitutes "suffering" with "distress", emphasizing mental or emotional anguish.

bring about any harm

Uses "harm" instead of "suffering", a broader term encompassing physical, emotional, or moral damage.

induce any agony

Replaces "suffering" with "agony", highlighting intense and prolonged pain.

generate any anguish

Substitutes "suffering" with "anguish", emphasizing severe mental or emotional distress.

lead to any misery

Uses "misery" to replace "suffering", focusing on a state of extreme unhappiness or discomfort.

result in any torment

Substitutes "suffering" with "torment", indicating severe physical or mental suffering.

produce any hardship

Replaces "suffering" with "hardship", focusing on severe difficulty or privation.

give rise to any affliction

Uses "affliction" instead of "suffering", a state of pain, distress, or suffering.

beget any woe

Substitutes "suffering" with "woe", referring to great sorrow or distress.

FAQs

How can I use "cause any suffering" in a sentence?

You can use "cause any suffering" to describe actions or events that lead to pain or distress. For example, "The new regulations should not "cause any suffering" to the affected communities".

What are some alternatives to "cause any suffering"?

Alternatives include "inflict pain", "create distress", or "bring about harm". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "cause suffering" or "cause any suffering"?

"Cause suffering" is more general, while "cause any suffering" emphasizes the desire to avoid even minimal distress. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What is the difference between "cause any suffering" and "lead to discomfort"?

"Cause any suffering" implies a significant degree of pain or distress, while "lead to discomfort" suggests a milder negative experience. The former is used for more serious consequences.