cause suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something has caused physical or emotional pain or distress. For example: "The war caused immeasurable suffering to innocent civilians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

When you suffer or cause suffering, humanity is diminished as a result.

Huffington Post

In addition, Dr. Gillick said, tube feeding can cause suffering.

The New York Times

As a group, those who use religion to cause suffering.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But Slepian argues that secrets cause suffering in other ways, too.

The New Yorker

Mr. Korda also devotes time to telling people how, in his words, to "work with thoughts that cause suffering, and change them into thoughts and actions that don't cause suffering".

The New York Times

But he believes that the decision to shackle Jamadi to the window reflected an intent to cause suffering.

The New Yorker

In a recent interview, Dr. Deutsch stood by his initial finding, saying his method does not cause suffering.

The New York Times

Ghassan Khatib, the Palestinian Authority's minister of labor, calls the fence "a land-expropriation project" that will cause suffering to innocent people but do nothing to stop terrorists.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ideally with the data released today we would like to know, of the different procedures, which are likely to cause suffering to the animals involved.

The Guardian

Of all the things in the world that are horrible and cause suffering to other people, you wouldn't think that catching baseballs was one of them".

The New Yorker

The problem is with us and our focus on short-term growth and profits, which is likely to cause suffering on a vast scale.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause suffering" when you want to emphasize the direct action that leads to pain or distress. It's a strong and clear way to express the impact of actions or events.

Common error

While "cause suffering" is a valid phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Consider using synonyms like "inflict pain" or "create anguish" to add variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause suffering" functions as a verb phrase where "cause" acts as the verb and "suffering" as the direct object. It describes the action of bringing about pain or distress. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause suffering" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe actions or events that lead to pain and distress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific publications. While it's a strong and direct way to express the impact of negative actions, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms like "inflict pain" or "create anguish" to add nuance to their writing. When writing about suffering, it's crucial to maintain sensitivity and clarity to effectively communicate the impact of such events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict pain

Focuses more on the act of deliberately imposing physical or emotional pain.

create anguish

Emphasizes the deep mental or emotional distress caused.

generate distress

Highlights the production or origination of feelings of anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

provoke agony

Suggests a more intense and prolonged form of suffering.

induce misery

Stresses the state of unhappiness and wretchedness that results.

wreak havoc

Indicates widespread destruction and disruption, often leading to suffering.

bring torment

Highlights a state of severe physical or mental suffering.

foster hardship

Focuses on creating difficult or challenging circumstances.

precipitate adversity

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful arrival of unfavorable conditions.

breed misfortune

Implies the creation of negative outcomes or bad luck.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause suffering" to describe actions or events that lead to physical or emotional pain. For example, "The war continued to cause suffering among the civilian population".

What can I say instead of "cause suffering"?

You can use alternatives like "inflict pain", "create anguish", or "generate distress" depending on the specific context.

Which is the correct word, "affect" or "cause suffering"?

"Affect" and "cause suffering" have different meanings. "Affect" means to influence something, while "cause suffering" means to inflict pain or distress. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "cause suffering" and "experience suffering"?

"Cause suffering" refers to the act of inflicting pain or distress on someone or something, while "experience suffering" refers to the state of undergoing pain or distress.