Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
cause detriment
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"cause detriment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to anything that has a negative impact. Example: The rising cost of living can cause detriment to a family's financial situation.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
Threats to cause detriment is essentially an extortion charge and can carry a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.
News & Media
Magistrate Chris Callaghan immediately criticised the charge of making threats to cause detriment as soon as the matter was called before him.
News & Media
Francky Yann Guise, 37, faced Southport magistrates court in the Gold Coast on Thursday charged with two counts of common assault and one count of making threats to cause detriment.
News & Media
This makes the activity relevant because it is first after release and transfer to a susceptible target that a PAH may cause detriment of health or effects on the environment.
Science
It's in the Smith Commission report, page nine, section seven, subsection five, and it goes like this: "The package of powers agreed through the Smith Commission process, when taken together, should not cause detriment to the UK as a whole nor to any of its constituent parts".
News & Media
"And to say that this is what's going to cause detriment to people, I just don't think it's out there".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
This appearance of an image to "lag" behind or "swim" about may cause detriments in user performance, lack of user acceptance, and simulator sickness.
Science
After long cold winter nights, the direct use of a deeply frozen Lithium-ion pack in an electric vehicle(EV) would cause detriments to its battery performance and life.
Science
The evidence-gathering exercise – known as a call for inputs – will look at whether high-cost loans are causing detriment to customers.
News & Media
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey – relaxed about fan unrest around the club's new shirt sponsor, payday lender The Money Shop, whose parent company was forced to pay out £15.4m last year due to "serious failings" that "caused detriment for many customers".
News & Media
"I don't want to go into that but, yes, there were some proposals we felt could have caused detriment - some proposals that looked as if they might be unworkable.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "cause detriment", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is leading to the negative outcome. Strong verbs enhance the sentence's impact.
Common error
While grammatically correct, "cause detriment" sounds overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "harm" or "damage" when writing informally.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "cause detriment" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that results in harm or damage. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from legal charges to environmental impacts, indicating its versatile application in expressing causation of negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI the phrase refers to anything that has a negative impact.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
4%
Social Media
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "cause detriment" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that conveys the idea of leading to harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its function in describing anything with a negative impact. While not exceptionally common, it finds its niche in formal and scientific writing. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. When writing, remember to use it consciously, favouring it in situations where formality and precision are desired, and replace it with more informal alternatives, such as "cause harm" or "damage" in less formal contexts.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
induce harm
Highlights the act of inducing harm, implying a direct consequence.
exacerbate difficulties
Emphasizes the worsening of existing difficulties.
inflict damage
Focuses on the action of inflicting damage rather than the general concept of causing detriment.
give rise to problems
Focuses on the emergence or origination of problems.
foster negative impacts
Highlights the cultivation or encouragement of negative impacts.
generate adversity
Focuses on the creation or generation of adverse conditions.
breed problems
Suggests a gradual development of problems over time.
contribute to losses
Specifies the role of contributing to quantifiable losses.
precipitate disadvantage
Emphasizes the acceleration of a disadvantageous situation.
spark misfortune
Implies a sudden or unexpected onset of misfortune.
FAQs
How can I use "cause detriment" in a sentence?
You can use "cause detriment" to describe something that leads to a negative outcome. For example: "Poor diet can cause detriment to your health."
What are some alternatives to "cause detriment"?
Alternatives include "cause harm", "inflict damage", or "lead to losses", depending on the specific context.
Is it better to say "cause detriment" or "result in detriment"?
Both "cause detriment" and "result in detriment" are grammatically correct. "Cause detriment" emphasizes the action of causing, while "result in detriment" focuses on the outcome.
What's the difference between "cause detriment" and "cause disadvantage"?
"Cause detriment" implies a broader negative impact, while "cause disadvantage" /s/cause+disadvantage specifically suggests creating an unfair or unfavorable situation.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested