cause gasps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause gasps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that elicits a strong reaction of surprise or shock from people. Example: "The magician's final trick was so astonishing that it caused gasps from the entire audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is not to denigrate the mellifluous players, who can cause gasps of pleasure.

The Guardian - Sport

The tuxedos are being dusted down, the speeches are being written and the fashion designers are working on dresses they hope will cause gasps on the red carpet: it's movie awards season.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not only can the thin air cause gasping and fatigue, but it can also swell brains and fill lungs with fluid, sometimes fatally.

Science Magazine

It can cause gasping and gagging as too much air is swallowed while the baby eats, so I wonder if your baby is taking a drug he doesn't need.

Huffington Post

Her aerial takeoff was even more astonishing than I had remembered it, rightly causing gasps.

The New York Times

The arrival of Jack Nicholson, whose daughter, Jennifer, had a show the same night as a Lakers game, caused gasps.

The New York Times - Style

She began with a speech to explain her love of animals that caused gasps of sympathy from her guests.

The Guardian - Film

Even the Camera d'Or, presented by a separate jury for the best first film, caused gasps of disbelief.

The Guardian

That one caused gasps in the room July 8 , 2014Zoe Wood (@zoewoodguardian) BE is now dangling prospect of three dress lengths?

The Guardian - Business

DiDonato, the self-styled Yankee Diva, caused gasps when she walked on dressed in a shimmering Vivienne Westwood dress to match her dazzling trills and vocal cascades.

The Guardian - Music

He caused gasps in Britain earlier this year, for instance, when he said there might be a role for Islamic Shariah law in settling disputes within the British Muslim community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause gasps" to describe events, performances, or revelations that evoke a strong reaction of surprise or shock from an audience or group.

Common error

Avoid using "cause gasps" in contexts where a milder reaction is expected. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke surprise or shock, not mere interest or amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause gasps" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as a transitive verb and "gasps" serves as its direct object. This indicates that something is actively creating or inducing a reaction of surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause gasps" is a verb phrase used to describe something that elicits a strong reaction of surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, as indicated by the examples found. The phrase is most commonly used in News & Media contexts. When writing, reserve "cause gasps" for situations that evoke genuine surprise, and consider using alternatives like "elicit gasps" or "provoke gasps" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit gasps

Uses "elicit" instead of "cause", maintaining a formal tone.

provoke gasps

Substitutes "cause" with "provoke", emphasizing the instigating nature of the action.

spark gasps

Replaces "cause" with "spark", implying a sudden and immediate reaction.

generate gasps

Uses "generate" to suggest the creation of gasps as a result.

occasion gasps

Replaces "cause" with "occasion", indicating a less direct relationship.

lead to gasps

Expresses a sequence where something results in gasps.

give rise to gasps

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the origin of gasps.

bring about gasps

Emphasizes the action that results in gasps.

beget gasps

A more formal and less common way to say cause gasps.

set off gasps

Implies that something triggers a reaction of gasping.

FAQs

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

Use "cause gasps" to describe something that creates a reaction of shock or surprise, such as "The magician's final trick did "cause gasps" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "cause gasps"?

You can use alternatives like "elicit gasps", "provoke gasps", or "spark gasps" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause gasps" or "elicit gasps"?

Both "cause gasps" and "elicit gasps" are correct, but "elicit gasps" is generally considered more formal and might be preferable in professional or academic writing.

What kind of events might "cause gasps"?

Events that often "cause gasps" include surprising plot twists in movies, unexpected reveals at fashion shows, and shocking announcements in public forums.