cause scandal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause scandal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to actions or events that provoke public outrage or controversy. For example, "The politician's remarks caused scandal among his constituents." Alternative expressions include "create controversy" and "spark outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"And were these events types of events that would cause scandal for the church?" Bishop Daily was asked.

The New York Times

The community was granted toleration by the Dutch authorities on the condition that it not cause scandal or allow any of its members to become public charges.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As we spoke, Auguste pulled from his wallet his release papers, which instructed him not to hinder the investigation — which investigation, it wasn't clear; the papers listed no charges — or to "cause scandal".

The New Yorker

But tormented, self-loathing Frank has a secret - a penchant for picking up young men in late-night bars - and deeply troubled Cathy finds solace in friendship with her gardener Raymond Dennis Haysbertt), a black man whose attentions cause scandal among the bigoted ladies' circle.

The Guardian - Film

All this is tolerated if it does not become public and cause scandal.

Huffington Post

"Respectable" white women would avoid associating with Native women or prostitutes: those that did could cause scandal.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While conflicts of interest may cause scandals for the president, they are unlikely to add to his long list of legal woes.

The Guardian

The report has furthermore caused scandal and pain throughout the church community, and created greater polarization.

The New Yorker

When the second part of his "Gloria" (1959) caused scandal, the very devout composer explained: he wrote the "Laudamus Te" after watching "grave Benedictines playing football".

The Economist

That said, the Holy See is loth to be bullied by popular opinion, although Francis has shown himself willing to remove bishops who have divided their local church or caused scandal.

The Guardian

The immediate inspiration for the plot was the death of a local doctor in Normandy, Eugène Delamare, whose second wife, Delphine, had caused scandal by taking lovers and running up huge debts.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve "cause scandal" for serious breaches of social or moral codes, particularly in historical or religious contexts

Common error

Writers often struggle between using 'scandal' as an uncountable noun or a countable one. Use 'cause a scandal' for a specific media event and "cause scandal" for a general state of public disgrace. Avoid saying 'causing scandals' unless you are specifically referring to multiple distinct incidents

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause scandal" functions as a transitive verb phrase. In this construction, 'cause' acts as the action verb and 'scandal' serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI shows that while the countable form 'cause a scandal' is more frequent in general speech, the uncountable use seen here is common in legal, ecclesiastical and formal journalistic registers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause scandal" is a robust and grammatically correct English idiom used to describe actions that provoke public shock or institutional embarrassment. While similar to 'cause a scandal', the omission of the article often lends it a more formal or collective tone, making it particularly common in religious, historical and serious journalistic contexts. Data from Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely accepted by top-tier publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, writers should ensure the context justifies the weight of the word 'scandal', as it implies a significant breach of ethics or norms. For more explosive or modern scenarios, alternatives like "spark outrage" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a scandal

Uses the indefinite article to treat the event as a specific, singular incident

spark outrage

Suggests a more immediate and explosive public reaction

provoke controversy

More formal and implies a debate with differing opinions rather than just shock

trigger a backlash

Focuses specifically on the negative reaction from a particular group

stir up trouble

A more informal and sometimes intentional way of creating disruption

invite criticism

A softer way to describe actions likely to be judged negatively

bring disgrace

Implies a deep moral failing or loss of honor for the person involved

generate headlines

Emphasizes the media attention resulting from the event

create a stir

Suggests a milder or more localized reaction of excitement or shock

result in infamy

Focuses on the long-term historical reputation following a scandalous act

FAQs

How do I use "cause scandal" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action that offends public morality, for example: 'The bishop was careful not to "cause scandal" for the church'. For a more modern feel, you might say "spark outrage".

What is the difference between "cause scandal" and "cause a scandal"?

The version without the article is more common in formal or religious contexts (like canon law), whereas "cause a scandal" is the standard way to describe a specific news event in everyday speech.

What can I say instead of "cause scandal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "provoke controversy", "stir up trouble", or "bring disgrace".

Is "cause scandal" correct in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. Ludwig AI notes that it is frequently used in high-quality publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times to describe public fallout.