cause to suffer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause to suffer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to the action of causing someone or something to experience pain, sorrow, or hardship. For example, "His negligence caused his family to suffer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ms. Toney has been severely disparaged, defamed, slandered and caused to suffer emotional distress all as a result of the untrue, extreme and outrageous comments made by Patty, Karen and their attorney," he said.

The Guardian - Music

The law of nuisance has long provided remedy for neighbors who are caused to suffer noxious effluent arising from nearby agricultural or industrial uses.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Yet here's the irony: what has allowed successful activists across generations and innumerable causes to suffer discomfort or embarrassment or disgust is a dogmatic idealism that holds that anything can be suffered in pursuit of a noble endgame.

Huffington Post

And that includes the option support food choices that don't cause animals to suffer or die.

Huffington Post

Is it cruelty (as in Nietzsche's playful aphorism: "To behold suffering gives pleasure, but to cause another to suffer affords an even greater pleasure")?

The New York Times - Books

Rising losses and falling prices cause profits to suffer.

Britannica

When we smoke, we cause others to suffer tobacco-related illnesses.

The New York Times

It is unclear whether the episode will cause Republicans to suffer at the ballot box next year.

The New York Times

Archives|PRELATE SEES PERIL IN IMMIGRATION BAN; Cardinal Hayes Fears It May Cause Country to Suffer in Its Great Ideals.

The New York Times

PRELATE SEES PERIL IN IMMIGRATION BAN; Cardinal Hayes Fears It May Cause Country to Suffer in Its Great Ideals.

The New York Times

Those systems, he says, often deprive birds of oxygen too quickly, which may cause them to suffer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use the phrase, be specific about the cause and the effect. For example, clearly state what action caused the suffering, and what kind of suffering resulted.

Common error

Avoid using "cause to suffer" without specifying the nature or extent of the suffering. Vague phrasing weakens the impact and clarity of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause to suffer" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of bringing about pain, distress, or hardship. It specifies a direct link between an action or event and the resulting suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause to suffer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that clearly establishes a causal relationship between an action and resulting pain or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, including news, scientific, and formal communications. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain specificity in describing the nature and extent of the suffering to maximize clarity. Alternatives such as "inflict pain on" or "bring hardship upon" may offer slightly different shades of meaning. By understanding these nuances, writers can use "cause to suffer" effectively to convey responsibility and evoke the appropriate emotional response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make someone experience pain

Directly states the act of causing someone to feel pain.

inflict pain on

Focuses on the direct action of inflicting pain, whether physical or emotional.

impose suffering on

Focuses on the act of imposing or forcing suffering onto someone or something.

bring hardship upon

Emphasizes the result of causing difficulty and adversity.

lead to misery

Highlights the consequential outcome of causing unhappiness and distress.

subject to distress

Highlights the act of exposing someone to emotional or mental strain.

be the source of anguish

Emphasizes being the origin of severe mental or physical suffering.

create adversity for

Focuses on generating unfavorable conditions for someone.

give rise to affliction

Focuses on initiating a state of pain, distress, or suffering.

contribute to discomfort

Highlights the act of adding to a state of unease or mild pain.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause to suffer" to describe situations where someone or something experiences pain or hardship as a direct result of an action. For example, "His negligence "caused them to suffer".".

What are some alternatives to "cause to suffer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "inflict pain on", "bring hardship upon", or "lead to misery".

Is it better to use "cause suffering" or "cause to suffer"?

"Cause suffering" is more concise, but "cause to suffer" can emphasize the process or experience of suffering as a result of a specific cause. The choice depends on the desired nuance.

What's the difference between "cause to suffer" and "allow to suffer"?

"Cause to suffer" implies a direct action that results in suffering, whereas "allow to suffer" suggests a failure to prevent suffering, even with the possibility to intervene.