cause to fret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause to fret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or action that leads someone to feel anxious or worried. Example: "The unexpected news seemed to cause her to fret about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He probably has no cause to fret.

The New York Times - Sports

It is Labour that might have cause to fret.

The Guardian

He had no cause to fret; the meal proceeded at an unhurried but smart pace.

The New York Times

And yet I had cause to fret there were silvers for me to regret I gave the medal table a glance: Horrors!... Above Brand GB... France!

The Guardian

They hope that some of it may rub off on them, making all Italians richer.Voters have good cause to fret about the economy.

The Economist

Twitter's accelerating losses are apparently no cause to fret to those who can self delude into bouncing a penny stock 1,400 percent in a day by accident.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Having these concerns on your mind once you start traveling can cause you to fret, so make sure they have been dealt with to your satisfaction before leaving.

WikiHow

LATELY, one thing after another -- a show, a book -- has been mysteriously causing people to fret about painters, dead and alive, using "crutches" like lenses, cameras and photographs, or possibly having used them.

The New York Times - Arts

Knowing that the inspectors would be arriving in less than 48hours caused me to fret so much about the lessons I was to teach on the Wednesday and Thursday that I almost completely forgot about the lessons I was teaching on Monday and Tuesday.

The Guardian

The sum was greater than had been expected, causing investors to fret that the insurer would make further write-downs.Moody's said it would review its procedures after revelations that a hitch in its calculations caused it to give ratings that were too high to some financial instruments.

The Economist

His stature on the board has caused some to fret that he could hold back a new CEO, exerting outsized influence as shareholder and former CEO.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause to fret", consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey. While 'fret' implies worry, more potent alternatives might be suitable for severe anxiety.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "cause to fret" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "make someone worry" or "get someone anxious" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

"Cause to fret" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the act of prompting someone's worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in different contexts, which indicates an acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause to fret" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal expression used to indicate that something is prompting worry or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English and appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While valid, be mindful of the register and intensity of emotion you wish to convey, opting for less formal alternatives in casual settings. The provided related phrases and writing guidance offer valuable insights for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give reason to worry

Focuses on providing a justification for concern, shifting from the action of causing to the state of having a reason.

prompt anxiety

Highlights the immediate instigation of anxious feelings, suggesting a more direct causation than "cause to fret".

instigate concern

Emphasizes the initiation of worry, implying a starting point for apprehension rather than a continuous state.

generate unease

Focuses on producing a feeling of discomfort and restlessness, broadening the emotional spectrum from specific worry to general unease.

spark apprehension

Highlights the sudden triggering of fearful anticipation, suggesting a rapid onset of worry.

foster disquiet

Indicates the creation of a state of disturbance and worry, implying a nurturing of unease over time.

induce perturbation

Emphasizes causing a disturbance in mental composure, highlighting the act of upsetting someone's equilibrium.

create misgivings

Highlights the production of doubts and apprehensions, suggesting a generation of uncertainty and worry.

provoke concern

Focuses on eliciting worry or interest, shifting slightly from direct causation to invitation.

lead to agitation

Highlights the end result is feeling stirred up or disturbed, indicating that the origin of the worry.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause to fret" to describe something that leads someone to worry. For example, "The company's financial instability began to cause investors to fret".

What can I say instead of "cause to fret"?

Alternatives to "cause to fret" include "give reason to worry", "prompt anxiety", or "instigate concern" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "cause to fret" or "reason to fret"?

"Cause to fret" indicates the source of the worry, while "reason to fret" suggests there's a valid justification for concern. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting the trigger or the validity of the worry.

What's the difference between "cause to fret" and "make someone anxious"?

"Cause to fret" is slightly more formal than "make someone anxious". While both convey worry, "fret" suggests a more persistent or nagging concern compared to the broader term "anxious".