cause to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause to cause" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in a context where one action is intended to lead to another, but it is generally better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The new policy is designed to cause the changes that will ultimately cause improvements in efficiency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's very possible he was a seeker … someone who goes from cause to cause and looks at a number of causes, trying to find something," Pitcavage said.

The Washington Post

He who knows the links that join cause to cause, knows all the results of causes and can foretell every coming event.

University of Chicago

Koestler, too, lurched from cause to cause, always with the same unshakable conviction.5.5

Huffington Post

"No reasonable officer would have believed that Defendant Vollmer had probable cause to cause Yingst's arrest," the lawsuit added.

Los Angeles Times

Treatment for each of these classes differs somewhat from cause to cause and some treatment regimens are more toxin-specific than others.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Expansion joint failure is one of important causes to cause concrete pavement damages.

Construction and Building Materials

"(iii) the use of which is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive; or".

Cornell University

The current law prohibits any act causing or likely to cause physical injury.

The New York Times

As such, Disney wrote, the "mau5head" is "likely... to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive".

The Guardian - Music

(4) Attempting to cause or causing damage to property so as to intimidate or attempt to control the behavior of another person.

Cornell University

The commission, an autonomous government agency, determines whether imports cause or threaten to cause damage to United States companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "cause to cause" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "lead to" or "result in" to express causation.

Common error

Don't use "cause to cause" when a single "cause" or a more precise verb can convey the intended meaning. The repetition adds unnecessary words and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause to cause" functions as a causal verb phrase, attempting to describe a sequence of events where one action leads to another. Ludwig AI identifies this as grammatically awkward and advises using clearer alternatives. While aiming to express causation, the repetition makes it ineffective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "cause to cause" might seem like a straightforward way to describe a chain of events, Ludwig AI indicates it is considered grammatically awkward and uncommon. The analysis reveals that this phrase, while attempting to express causation, is often redundant and lacks the precision needed for formal writing. It's more effective to opt for alternatives like "lead to" or "result in" for clearer communication. Despite its infrequent usage across News & Media, Academia, and Science, remember that clarity and conciseness are key in effective writing. Therefore, it's better to use simpler terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to

More common and grammatically sound alternative expressing direct causation.

result in

Indicates a consequence or outcome of an action or event.

give rise to

Suggests a more indirect or less immediate causal relationship.

bring about

Implies a deliberate effort to cause something to happen.

contribute to

Indicates a partial or contributing cause, rather than the sole cause.

be responsible for

Highlights accountability or agency in causing an event.

set in motion

Emphasizes the initiation of a process or chain of events.

trigger

Implies a sudden or forceful cause.

instigate

Suggests initiating something, often with negative connotations.

initiate

To start or begin something.

FAQs

Is "cause to cause" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "cause to cause" is generally considered grammatically awkward and redundant. It's better to use a single "cause" or alternative phrases like "lead to" or "result in".

How can I rephrase "cause to cause" for clarity?

Instead of "cause to cause", try using verbs like "generate", "trigger", or "initiate", or phrases like "give rise to" or "bring about" to express the intended causal relationship more effectively.

When is it appropriate to use "cause to cause"?

The phrase "cause to cause" is rarely appropriate in formal writing. While it might appear in specific philosophical or technical contexts, it's generally advisable to use clearer and more conventional alternatives.

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

"Lead to" is a standard and widely accepted way to express causation. "Cause to cause" is less common and can sound redundant. "Lead to" is generally preferred for its clarity and conciseness. For example instead of saying "the policy will cause to cause changes" you should say "the policy will "lead to" changes".