cause something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that one event or action leads to another. For example: "The heavy rain can cause flooding in low-lying areas." Alternative expressions include "lead to" and "result in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This much poison is bound to cause something catastrophic.

The New York Times

Whatever the reason, Goldman is aware that Kick-Ass could cause something of a stir.

The Guardian - Film

A lot of snow can cause something else to deform: Earth's crust.

The New York Times - Science

I hoped that finishing the PhD would cause something fundamental to change, and it did.

The Guardian

He will either fail to stop something from happening or, perhaps worse, accidently cause something to get done.

The Guardian - Opinion

Love ya! 6 April 1990 Not sure you got last three messages cause something weird is going on with wesleyan.edu.edu

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cause and effect are often nonexistent; a particular action on your part will cause something totally unrelated to occur.

The New York Times - Tech

Unchecked, his diabetes would eventually cause something terrible — kidney failure, a heart attack, blindness, or the kind of wound-healing problem that leads to amputation.

The New Yorker

But the example of Russia and Ukraine shows that co-operation can break down and Japan/China tensions may cause something similar.Secondly, this powerlessness adds to voter dissatisfaction.

The Economist

In each one, scientists are combing through petabytes of data, trying to discern whether certain genes or groups of neurons cause something or simply correlate with it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But I also think for a non-governmental organisation to be supporting something that's supporting a political cause … something feels not right about that to me.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause something" when you want to indicate a direct relationship between an action or event and its consequence. Be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey when choosing between "cause something" and its alternatives, as each carries a slightly different implication.

Common error

While "cause something" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "lead to", "result in", or "bring about" to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause something" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" is the verb indicating the action of bringing about a result, and "something" is the direct object, representing the unspecified outcome or consequence. Ludwig AI shows that it is typically used to describe a causal relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

28%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause something" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate a causal relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business writing. Its usage is particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific publications. When writing, be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey and consider using synonyms to avoid repetition. This ensures clarity and sophistication in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to something

Emphasizes the resulting effect of an action or event.

result in something

Focuses on the outcome as a direct consequence.

give rise to something

Suggests the creation or emergence of something new.

bring about something

Highlights the act of actively making something happen.

trigger something

Implies initiating a chain of events or reaction.

spark something

Indicates a sudden or abrupt beginning.

generate something

Focuses on producing or creating an outcome.

initiate something

Highlights the beginning or commencement of an action or process.

produce something

Emphasizes the creation or manufacture of something.

set off something

Suggests causing an event to begin, often suddenly.

FAQs

What does "cause something" mean?

"Cause something" means to be the reason for something to happen or exist. It implies a direct relationship between an action, event, or factor and its result.

What are some alternatives to "cause something"?

You can use alternatives like "lead to something", "result in something", or "bring about something" depending on the context.

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

You can use "cause something" in a sentence like this: "The new policy might cause something unexpected to happen" or "His actions could cause something bad".

Is "cause something" formal or informal?

"Cause something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more sophisticated synonyms might be preferred in highly formal writing.