cause them to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause them to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of someone causing someone else to do something. Example sentence: His harsh words caused them to flee the room in tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, it can cause them to underachieve.

The New York Times

Cause them to rethink values or priorities?

The New York Times

"But it's enough to cause them to pull back".

The New York Times

This can cause them to change or embellish their stories.

The New York Times

Rapid changes can cause them to blow apart.

The New York Times

Instead, it can cause them to underachieve," she writes.

The New York Times

"Their medical needs are quite often what cause them to be homeless, cause them to remain homeless and to get worse while they are homeless.

The Guardian

What would cause them to change?

TechCrunch

The biggest reason that would cause them to change?

TechCrunch

These incentives cause them to invest in better safety controls.

Forbes

They exhibit typical optical, electronic, and catalytic properties which cause them to have many applications.

Nano Convergence

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause them to" when you want to emphasize that an external factor influences a group of individuals towards a particular action or outcome. It's more appropriate when the cause is somewhat indirect.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overusing "cause them to" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "lead them to" or rephrasing with a more direct verb to improve clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause them to" functions as a causative construction, indicating that something or someone is the reason for a group of people performing a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause them to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a cause-and-effect relationship, where a particular action or situation leads a group of individuals to perform a specific action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, and Ludwig's analysis confirms that it serves the function of explaining why a group of people undertake a certain action. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "make them do" or "lead them to", it’s important to select the most appropriate wording based on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make them do

This alternative uses a more direct and active verb.

lead them to

This suggests a guiding influence rather than a direct cause.

result in them

This emphasizes the outcome or consequence.

prompt them to

This indicates a stimulation or encouragement to act.

induce them to

This suggests persuasion or influence to a specific action.

motivate them to

This highlights the incentive or reason behind the action.

encourage them to

This implies giving support and confidence to act.

compel them to

This suggests a forced or obligated action.

force them to

This implies direct coercion or obligation.

drive them to

This emphasizes the strength and compelling nature of the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "cause them to" in a sentence?

The phrase "cause them to" is used to indicate that something or someone leads a group of people to perform an action. For example, "The new policy changes will cause them to reconsider their strategy".

What are some alternatives to "cause them to"?

Alternatives include "make them do", "lead them to", "prompt them to", or "motivate them to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cause them to" formal or informal?

"Cause them to" is suitable for most writing contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives for stylistic variation. In informal contexts, it may sound slightly stilted compared to simpler phrasing like "make them".

Which is correct, "cause them to" or "causes them to"?

The correct form depends on the subject's number. Use "cause them to" when the subject is plural or 'I/you/we/they'. Use "causes them to" when the subject is singular and third person (he/she/it). For example, 'The policy changes cause them to leave' versus 'The policy change causes them to leave'.