cause problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause problem" is grammatically incorrect.
In written English, it should be "cause a problem." For example, "Not tidying up your room can cause a problem when your parents come to visit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It cause problem when we eat outside-of-cave.

The New York Times

Varying identifier may cause problem in ubiquitous computing environment.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Higher values of bicarbonate cause problem like corrosion in water pipelines (Siamak and Srikantaswamy 2009).

Applied Water Science

The emissions cause problem to various aspects including the environment, health, and economic.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

A detailed coal and ash analyses was carried out to understand the root cause problem.

Fuel

Although the exact pathogenesis of supernumerary nostril has not been revealed, it might cause problem of division of lateral nasal process.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

This can cause problems.

The New York Times

Coal utilization can cause problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She'd never cause problems".

The New Yorker

So many dudes cause problems.

The New Yorker

That could cause problems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct phrase "cause a problem" in formal writing. While the shorter form may be understood, it lacks the precision and clarity expected in professional contexts.

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the indefinite article 'a' before 'problem'. Remember that "problem" is a countable noun and generally requires an article unless used in a generic or uncountable sense. Instead of "cause problem", write "cause a problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause problem", while grammatically incorrect, functions as a verb phrase intended to express the act of generating difficulties or issues. While Ludwig AI indicates the grammatically correct form is "cause a problem", the provided examples still illustrate the intended meaning in context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause problem" is commonly used but grammatically incorrect; the accurate form is "cause a problem". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue, emphasizing the importance of including the article "a" with the countable noun "problem". Although widely present across diverse sources, including science and news media, formal contexts demand adherence to correct grammar. When aiming for precision and clarity, especially in writing, remember that using "cause a problem" is the best practice. For situations demanding a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "lead to complications".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create difficulties

Emphasizes the act of generating obstacles or challenges, shifting the focus from a specific 'problem'.

lead to complications

Highlights the development of complex or intricate issues as a result of an action or situation.

give rise to issues

Focuses on the emergence or origin of problems, suggesting a more passive creation of difficulties.

generate concerns

Shifts the focus to the feelings of worry or unease that a situation or action might produce.

present challenges

Highlights the difficulty or demanding nature of a situation rather than labeling it a 'problem'.

pose a threat

Emphasizes the potential danger or harm that something might cause, focusing on the severity of the impact.

be detrimental

Highlights the harmful or damaging aspect of the situation.

spark controversy

Focuses on the generation of public disagreement or debate rather than a simple problem.

breed discontent

Emphasizes the creation of dissatisfaction or unhappiness within a group or population.

engender conflict

Highlights the generation of clashes or disputes, implying a more active creation of problems.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is to say "cause a problem". The indefinite article 'a' is necessary because "problem" is a countable noun.

What can I say instead of "cause problem" to sound more formal?

For more formal alternatives, consider phrases like "lead to complications" or "give rise to issues". These convey a similar meaning with a slightly more sophisticated tone.

Why is "cause problem" considered grammatically incorrect?

"Cause problem" is grammatically incorrect because "problem" is a countable noun. Countable nouns typically need an article (a, an, the) or another determiner (e.g., this, that, my) before them when used in a singular form. Thus, "cause a problem" is the correct construction.

Is there a difference in meaning between "cause problem" and "cause a problem"?

While "cause problem" might be understood in informal contexts, it lacks the grammatical correctness of "cause a problem". The latter is always the preferred option because it provides grammatical clarity and is less prone to misinterpretation.