cause the disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause the disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that lead to a disastrous event or situation. Example: "The lack of proper safety measures can cause the disaster that we are trying to prevent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The deep loyalty to Hezbollah that may have helped cause the disaster apparently also prevents many victims from complaining.

The New York Times

But it didn't cause the disaster any more than the sunny day that encouraged people to linger outside the stadium as kick-off approached.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of what happened to cause the disaster, and the police's subsequent blame-shifting, has been exposed over these long decades.

The Guardian - Sport

The result is a lengthy book, "How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities," that brilliantly dissects much of what has passed for economic wisdom, and decries the lack of humility from those whose theories helped cause the disaster.

The New York Times

"We need to know what happened in the gulf to cause the disaster, so that a similar catastrophe doesn't befall our Arctic waters," said William H. Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society.

The New York Times

Though veteran climbers and experts say that the numbers attempting an ascent of the mountain did not cause the disaster, many more mountaineers were present on the mountain than is usual after Chinese authorities cut down on permits for mountaineers hoping to climb in Tibet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In his report, Taylor concluded firmly that police mismanagement of the crowd had caused the disaster.

The Guardian - Sport

The jury heard that faulty points in the track were a significant factor in causing the disaster.

The Guardian

Finding the black boxes could reveal whether a mechanical fault, a hijacking or a bomb caused the disaster.

The Guardian

Francesco Schettino, the vessel's captain whose brazen maritime manoeuvre caused the disaster, was found guilty of manslaughter.

The Guardian

He responded: "They are angry with me, they want to find somebody who actually caused the disaster.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause the disaster", ensure that you provide specific details about the factors or events that led to the disastrous outcome. Vague statements can diminish the impact and credibility of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "cause the disaster" when you only have correlational evidence. Clearly differentiate between correlation and causation to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause the disaster" functions primarily as a causal connector, indicating a direct relationship between an action or event and a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its role in establishing causality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause the disaster" serves as a causal connector, directly linking an action or event to a disastrous outcome. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, although its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly found in news and media and science contexts, the phrase is generally neutral in tone and aims to assign responsibility or explain the origins of a negative event. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity and providing specific details. Consider more formal alternatives like "contribute to the failure" for specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger the catastrophe

Substitutes "disaster" with "catastrophe", implying a more sudden and devastating event. "Trigger" suggests a specific action that initiates the catastrophe.

precipitate the crisis

"Crisis" suggests a critical and unstable situation, while "precipitate" implies hastening or accelerating the arrival of that situation.

spark the calamity

"Calamity" denotes a great misfortune or disaster. "Spark" implies a small action that ignites a larger, negative event.

bring about the downfall

Focuses on the result being a decline or ruin, rather than a broad disaster. "Bring about" is a general causal phrase.

lead to the collapse

"Collapse" suggests a sudden failure or loss of function. This phrase emphasizes the sequential nature of cause and effect.

contribute to the failure

Suggests that the action is one of many factors that resulted in the failure. It's less direct than "cause".

play a role in the tragedy

"Tragedy" focuses on the sorrowful or lamentable aspects of the event. "Play a role" implies that there were other contributing factors.

be responsible for the devastation

"Devastation" emphasizes the widespread damage. "Be responsible" indicates accountability for the destruction.

set the stage for the ruin

Focuses on preparing conditions that will inevitably lead to a negative outcome, emphasizing the preparation.

give rise to the problem

"Problem" indicates that something is wrong and needs to be dealt with. "Give rise" indicates the action of creation of the problem.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "cause the disaster"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "precipitate the crisis" or "contribute to the failure" for a more nuanced tone.

Can "lead to the disaster" be used interchangeably with "cause the disaster"?

While similar, "lead to the disaster" implies a sequence of events, whereas "cause the disaster" suggests a more direct causal link. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the direct cause.

What are some common synonyms for "disaster" when discussing "cause the disaster"?

Common synonyms include "catastrophe", "downfall", "calamity", and "collapse", each carrying slightly different connotations of scale and impact.

How can I make my writing more precise when discussing what "caused the disaster"?

Specify the exact mechanisms or factors that were responsible. For example, instead of saying "negligence caused the disaster", specify "negligence in safety protocols caused the disaster" for better clarity.