cause to

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something caused something else to happen, for example, "Her kind words caused her to feel better about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A cause to rejoice?

The New York Times

There is cause to be skeptical.

The New Yorker

That should give us cause to celebrate.

The New York Times

He had cause to be grateful.

The New Yorker

He has good cause to do so.

Independent

He probably has no cause to fret.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Brown would have cause to complain.

The Economist

LONDON'S zoo has cause to celebrate.

The Economist

Their insurers have cause to worry too.

The Economist

The victors had cause to mistrust her.

The New Yorker

THE English have cause to feel flattered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause to", consider whether a more specific verb like 'lead', 'result', or 'prompt' might provide a clearer or more nuanced understanding of the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "cause to" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of "The rain caused the game to be cancelled", a simpler "The rain cancelled the game" is often more effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cause to" is to act as a causative verb phrase, indicating that something or someone is the reason for an action or state. Ludwig's AI confirms its usage. This is demonstrated through examples like "The heavy rain caused the river to overflow."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as a causal connector. It is employed to explicitly indicate that something is responsible for another event or action. While Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase, considering alternative expressions like ""lead to"" or ""result in"" can enhance clarity and precision in writing. The phrase appears commonly in news, business, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When aiming for direct and logical connections between events, "cause to" offers a reliable linguistic tool, but remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences where more straightforward verbs might suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to

Focuses on the resulting action or consequence, suggesting a more direct path.

give rise to

More formal, often used to describe the origin or beginning of something.

result in

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of an action.

bring about

Suggests a deliberate action to produce a specific result.

contribute to

Indicates a partial influence rather than a sole reason.

be responsible for

Assigns accountability or agency for an event.

prompt

Implies a more immediate instigation, often emotional or reactive.

motivate

Highlights the reason or incentive behind an action.

incite

Suggests stirring up something, often with negative connotations.

trigger

Emphasizes the starting or releasing of a process or event.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cause to" is used to show that one thing leads to another. For example, "The heavy rain caused the river to overflow" shows the direct result of the rain.

What's the difference between "cause to" and "lead to"?

"Cause to" directly indicates instigation, whereas ""lead to"" focuses more on the resulting action. While similar, "cause to" places more emphasis on the direct influence.

Which is correct, "cause to" or "caused by"?

"Cause to" indicates what initiates an action, while "caused by" describes what is affected. For instance, "The accident caused the road to close" versus "The road closure was caused by the accident."

What are some alternatives to "cause to" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "give rise to", "result in", or "bring about" to maintain a higher level of formality.