cause surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause surprise" is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
You could use the phrase "cause a surprise" in a sentence, for example: I wanted to cause a surprise, so I asked my friend to a surprise party.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This statement might well cause surprise.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Archives|CHANGES CAUSE SURPRISE; Announcement Comes Unexpectedly to All Circles in Washington.

The New York Times

CHANGES CAUSE SURPRISE; Announcement Comes Unexpectedly to All Circles in Washington.

The New York Times

Consumers and small-business owners who use returned checks for record-keeping will see a mix of originals and paper substitutes, which may cause surprise or dismay.

The New York Times

"When a girl says she plays football now, it doesn't raise eyebrows or cause surprise the way it used to do".

The Guardian - Sport

As an ex-deputy prime minister, Prescott is fully entitled to take a seat in the Lords – but his appointment will cause surprise in some quarters because he has previously said he was opposed to becoming a peer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The great thing about our game is that you can cause surprises".

BBC

Hunt's remarks caused surprise among health experts.

The Guardian

Circulation of pledge cards in Mr. Morgan's new campaign caused surprise.

The New York Times

While out of office he caused surprise by acquiring two newspapers (from his savings, he said).

The Economist

The U-turn, which caused surprise in its suddenness and completeness, was widely and warmly welcomed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "a" before "surprise" (i.e., "cause a surprise"). This correction ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cause surprise" without the article "a". The correct usage is "cause a surprise". For example, instead of writing "His sudden appearance caused surprise", write "His sudden appearance caused a surprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause surprise" aims to denote the action of creating or inducing a feeling of surprise. However, it's grammatically incorrect as highlighted by Ludwig AI, lacking the necessary article 'a'. The correct form is "cause a surprise".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause surprise" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "cause a surprise". Though the phrase appears in various contexts, including news and academic sources, its incorrect grammar impacts its overall quality and suitability. Consider using alternatives such as "elicit surprise" or "provoke surprise" to express similar ideas with better grammatical accuracy. Always prioritize using the grammatically correct form "cause a surprise" or a suitable alternative in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a surprise

Adds an article to correct the grammatical structure, making it a standard English phrase.

elicit surprise

Uses a more formal verb that indicates drawing out a reaction of surprise.

provoke surprise

Highlights the act of intentionally inciting surprise.

generate surprise

Focuses on the creation or production of a feeling of surprise.

arouse surprise

Suggests awakening or stimulating a sense of surprise.

spark surprise

Emphasizes the sudden and immediate start of surprise.

create astonishment

Replaces "surprise" with a stronger emotion, suggesting a higher degree of amazement.

prompt amazement

This phrase emphasizes the action of urging or inciting a feeling of amazement.

foster wonder

This alternative focuses on cultivating a sense of awe and amazement.

stir curiosity

This phrase refers to awakening a feeling of eagerness to know or learn something.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "cause surprise"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is to "cause a surprise". The inclusion of the article "a" makes the sentence grammatically sound.

What is a better way to say "cause surprise"?

You can use alternatives like "elicit surprise", "provoke surprise", or "generate surprise" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cause surprise" or "cause a surprise"?

"Cause a surprise" is the correct form. The phrase "cause surprise" omits the necessary article, making it grammatically incorrect.

How can I use the phrase "cause a surprise" in a sentence?

Here is an example: "I wanted to cause a surprise, so I planned a party for my friend."