cause stir

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'cause stir' is not grammatically correct.
In spoken English, the phrase 'cause a stir' is often used to describe when someone or something causes excitement or controversy. For example: His outrageous comments caused a stir at the press conference.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A1 Ferrer's Comments Cause Stir The Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer told a gathering of police sergeants that he did not believe the fatal police shooting of Amadou Diallo in 1999 was a crime.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Other comments caused stirs.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a way of speaking so gruffly that he causes stirs he can't have meant to.

The New York Times

Yes, it would cause a stir, and we know you are not averse to causing stirs, but the tie-less one should be warned that – as Alex Ferguson has suggested in these pages – dressing down can lead to major sloppiness.

The Guardian

"We knew it would cause a stir".

The New York Times - Sports

The Wolfpack might also cause a stir in Manchester.

The Guardian - Sport

Paul Yingling did not set out to cause a stir.

The New York Times

Ms. Lopez can cause a stir in Manhattan as well.

The New York Times

Didn't their flouting of convent rules cause a stir?

The New York Times

Normally, such an event would cause little stir.

The Economist

Gangsterish enough to cause a stir, but not enough to cause a problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "a" with "stir" to form the grammatically correct phrase "cause a stir". For example, instead of writing "His comments cause stir", write "His comments cause a stir".

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the article "a" before "stir". Remember that "stir" is a noun, and in most contexts, it requires an article. Avoid writing "cause stir"; instead, use "cause a stir".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause stir", while grammatically incorrect as noted by Ludwig AI, functions as a verb phrase intended to express the action of initiating excitement or controversy. The correct form, "cause a stir", is needed to make it grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Opinion

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cause stir" is commonly understood, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "cause a stir". Ludwig AI indicates that the missing article is a grammatical error. The phrase is used to describe the act of initiating excitement, controversy, or interest. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and has a neutral register. Always remember to include the article "a" to ensure grammatical correctness. Consider using alternatives such as "create a commotion" or "spark controversy" for variety, but ensure proper grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark controversy

Replaces "stir" with "controversy" and uses a different verb.

create a commotion

Uses a different noun to describe the disruption.

ignite a debate

Highlights the argumentative aspect of the situation.

generate buzz

Focuses on creating excitement or interest.

make waves

Uses a metaphor to describe creating a disturbance.

provoke a reaction

Emphasizes eliciting a response from others.

raise eyebrows

Indicates causing surprise or disapproval.

unleash chaos

Implies a more extreme level of disruption.

set tongues wagging

Implies causing gossip or rumors to spread.

foment unrest

Suggests actively encouraging disturbance or discontent.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause a stir" to describe something that creates excitement or controversy. For example, "The new policy is likely to "cause a stir" among employees".

What does "cause a stir" mean?

"Cause a stir" means to create excitement, interest, or controversy. It suggests that something has happened that is likely to generate discussion or strong feelings.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cause stir"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""cause a stir"", where "a" is an indefinite article.

What's the difference between "cause a stir" and "create a commotion"?

While both phrases suggest causing a disturbance, ""cause a stir"" often implies generating interest or excitement, while "create a commotion" suggests a more disruptive or noisy disturbance.