cause suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or situations that lead others to doubt or question someone's intentions or behavior. Example: "His sudden change in behavior began to cause suspicion among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Agozino says they cause "suspicion" but adds: "They don't always get involved in criminality – some of them manage to get their lives back on track".

The Guardian

"The fact they had that much money on them did cause suspicion," a spokeswoman for the road policing unit said yesterday.

The Guardian

Whatever its cause, suspicion of wealth is one reason that Mr Sarkozy is in trouble over his party's links to France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, the L'Oréal heiress.

The Economist

"You bought the cards at separate kiosks so as not to cause suspicion," Mr. Kannaourides said, "so you could have contact with Hezbollah to prepare a strike against Israelis in Cyprus".

The New York Times

For example heavy activity on a rather silent account would cause suspicion, especially if the login sourced from another country or continent.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

Last week, they ruled out the notorious biological warfare agent anthrax as a cause; suspicion now centers on Clostridia, a family of more than 30 species, including the bacteria that cause botulism, tetanus, and gas gangrene.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That causes suspicion to build up.

The Guardian

The fight with Isis has caused suspicion between former neighbours.

Independent

Compliance officials questioned Kerviel about the eight forward transactions, whose size, according to the book "Le Joueur," caused suspicion.

The New Yorker

But the very fact that so many of Salazar's charges have been diagnosed with the condition has caused suspicion.

The Guardian - Sport

This caused suspicion and speculation that some exam boards were harder than others, undermining the credibility of the exam system as a whole.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause suspicion", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is leading to the suspicion. For example, instead of saying "The situation caused suspicion", specify "His sudden departure caused suspicion among his colleagues".

Common error

Avoid using overly general subjects with "cause suspicion". Ensure the subject is specific enough to identify the source of the suspicion clearly. For example, avoid saying "Things caused suspicion", instead, specify the exact 'things'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause suspicion" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as a transitive verb taking "suspicion" as its direct object. It indicates that something is creating or generating a feeling of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause suspicion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes something leading to doubt or mistrust. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a verb phrase where "cause" acts upon "suspicion". It appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and online guides, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "arouse suspicion" and "raise doubts" exist, "cause suspicion" is a direct and effective way to express the generation of doubt. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clear and specific to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse suspicion

Emphasizes the act of awakening or triggering suspicion.

raise doubts

Focuses on creating uncertainty or disbelief.

generate doubt

Emphasizes the creation of uncertainty.

create mistrust

Focuses on the generation of a lack of trust.

foster distrust

Highlights the development and growth of a lack of trust.

lead to distrust

Emphasizes the causal relationship resulting in lack of trust

invite skepticism

Suggests that something makes people question or doubt.

provoke skepticism

Highlights the act of inciting doubt.

engender wariness

Highlights the generation of caution or carefulness.

prompt incredulity

Focuses on triggering disbelief or astonishment.

FAQs

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

Use "cause suspicion" to describe an action, event, or characteristic that leads others to doubt or mistrust. For example, "His frequent absences began to "cause suspicion" among his teammates".

What are some alternatives to "cause suspicion"?

Alternatives include "arouse suspicion", "raise doubts", "foster distrust", or "invite skepticism", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause suspicion" or "arouse suspicion"?

Both "cause suspicion" and "arouse suspicion" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "cause" highlights the reason for the suspicion, while "arouse" emphasizes the feeling it generates.

What's the difference between "cause suspicion" and "cause concern"?

"Cause suspicion" implies a feeling of doubt or mistrust, often regarding someone's intentions or actions. "Cause concern", on the other hand, implies worry or anxiety about someone's well-being or a particular situation.