cause discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause discord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or events that create conflict, disagreement, or disharmony among individuals or groups. Example: "The new policy changes are likely to cause discord among the staff, leading to a tense work environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I firmly believe there are no real divisions between north and south, except for those invented to cause discord," he told members of the Royal Horticultural Society in 2001, not long before the RHS took over Harlow Carr and gave it national status.

The Guardian

Having Mom say no but seeing Dad hesitate will not help your situation and will cause discord in your own marriage.

Huffington Post

It will only cause discord between you and you will be the first to go given your position holds lesser influence and leverage than him or her. 4. Workout and make time for yourself.

Huffington Post

Processes such as incomplete lineage sorting, recombination, and horizontal transfer can cause discord among gene and species trees, masking true evolutionary relationships among closely related taxa [ 11].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Inside F.T.I., the decision to work on behalf of Steinmetz caused discord.

The New Yorker

It was true that Iraq had caused discord in the Powell household.

The Guardian

He has been benched several times and has caused discord within the locker room.

The New York Times - Sports

Contention over rituals has peaked in recent months and caused discord between the Israeli authorities and Jewish leaders abroad.

The New York Times

Israeli officials are examining a proposal to create a new prayer area for more egalitarian worship after tensions over rituals at the site caused discord between the Israeli authorities and Jewish leaders abroad.

The New York Times

JERUSALEM — Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency, outlined new ideas on Tuesday for making the Western Wall a place where all Jews could pray comfortably, after tensions over rituals there peaked in recent months and caused discord between the Israeli authorities and Jewish leaders abroad.

The New York Times

It causes discord in our relationships.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause discord" when you want to emphasize the action of creating disagreement or conflict, rather than simply the existence of it. It is useful when highlighting the source or instigator of the disharmony.

Common error

While "cause discord" is grammatically correct, consider using more colloquial alternatives like "stir up trouble" or "create problems" in informal settings to better suit the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause discord" functions as a verb phrase where "cause" is the verb indicating an action and "discord" is the noun representing the result of that action. This phrase is typically used to describe something that brings about disagreement or conflict. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause discord" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that means to create disagreement or conflict. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, appearing mostly in news and media and scientific contexts. More common synonyms include "create conflict" or "foster disagreement". When using "cause discord", consider the formality of your writing; in informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase is suitable for emphasizing the action of initiating conflict, making it a valuable tool for precise and objective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create conflict

Focuses on the active creation of a state of opposition or struggle, broader than just disagreement.

foster disagreement

Highlights the encouragement and growth of opposing views, suggesting a more subtle or indirect action.

provoke conflict

Emphasizes instigation and intentionality in creating conflict.

generate strife

Implies a more intense and bitter conflict or struggle.

incite dissension

Suggests stirring up rebellious disagreement and opposition.

spark conflict

Emphasizes the sudden and often unexpected beginning of a conflict.

stir up trouble

A more colloquial expression for causing problems and disagreement.

breed animosity

Focuses on creating a feeling of strong dislike or hatred.

sow division

Implies deliberately spreading seeds of disagreement and separation.

promote disharmony

Highlights the disruption of peaceful and agreeable relations.

FAQs

What does "cause discord" mean?

"Cause discord" means to create disagreement, conflict, or disharmony between people or groups. It implies an action that disrupts peaceful relations.

What can I say instead of "cause discord"?

You can use alternatives like "create conflict", "foster disagreement", or "provoke conflict" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause discord" or "create conflict"?

Both "cause discord" and "create conflict" are correct, but "cause discord" is slightly more formal. "Create conflict" is often a more direct and widely understood alternative.

How to use "cause discord" in a sentence?

Example: "The new policy changes are likely to "cause discord" among the staff." Another example: "His inflammatory remarks threatened to "cause discord" within the community".