cause tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause tragedy' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to mean that something caused tragedy, often used in a serious or dramatic context. Example: The accident 'cause tragedy in the small town, leaving many families bereaved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Those the Loom identifies will apparently cause tragedy in the future, but only Sloan can see and interpret the names.

Wikipedia

They can also try to calm people down and be careful not to get so close to a suspect that a mere gesture might cause tragedy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The N.R.A. is right that most guns are used safely, but it's also true that guns are more likely to cause tragedies than to avert them.

The New York Times

Guns cause tragedies because they are the most efficient tool we have for converting bigotry, fear and anger into death.

HuffPost

Obama agreed, he said, and told Kaufman's loved ones that he hoped the United States could "work together to eradicate the problems that cause tragedies like these," Reyes said.

Los Angeles Times

In a prophetic postscript to the first scene, a young narrator named Eddie declares himself "the messenger who brought the news" that causes tragedy to unfold.

The New York Times

The "return to play decision" after a head injury is a serious problem that has caused tragedy and controversy.

BBC

They do not deserve to be labeled as "bigots" or accused of causing tragedy with 'hate' simply for disagreeing with currently popular liberal views or policies. .

Huffington Post

Phillips said that Jones had called Lionel and said, "this is what this song is written for, as a fundraising vehicle for causes, tragedies, catastrophes like this.

Wikipedia

What is it about where I live or where I work that caused this tragedy?" This concern may cause one to seek an explanation or to consider local industries or sources of environmental pollution as the putative cause.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In much of the world, of course, bacterial disease is a routine cause of tragedy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause tragedy" when you want to emphasize the direct link between an action or event and a tragic outcome. Be mindful of the context and ensure the connection is clear and substantiated.

Common error

Avoid using "cause tragedy" in contexts that exaggerate minor inconveniences or upsets. Reserve it for genuinely serious and devastating events to maintain credibility and avoid trivializing genuine suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause tragedy" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that results in a negative outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct. It directly links an action or event to a tragic consequence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause tragedy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions or events that lead to tragic outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's found across diverse contexts like news reports, wikis and science. It serves to emphasize causality and highlight the severity of consequences. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with genuine tragedy and consider alternatives like "lead to tragedy" or "result in tragedy" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to tragedy

This alternative focuses on the consequence of an action or event, indicating that it results in a tragic outcome.

result in tragedy

Similar to 'lead to tragedy', this phrase emphasizes the outcome or consequence being a tragedy.

bring about tragedy

This alternative stresses the act of causing or initiating a tragedy.

spark tragedy

This phrase highlights the sudden or immediate beginning of a tragedy.

trigger a tragedy

This alternative emphasizes the role of something as the catalyst for a tragic event.

precipitate a tragedy

This alternative suggests that something hastened or brought on a tragedy prematurely.

be the cause of a tragedy

This alternative is a more explicit way of stating that something is responsible for a tragedy.

contribute to tragedy

This alternative indicates that something played a part in bringing about a tragedy, though it may not be the sole cause.

instigate a tragedy

This alternative indicates that a person or action incites a tragic event.

create a tragedy

This alternative focuses on the act of bringing tragedy into existence, often implying deliberate action.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause tragedy" to describe something that leads to a devastating or unfortunate event. For instance, "A single mistake can "cause tragedy" for many families."

What are some alternatives to "cause tragedy"?

Alternatives include "lead to tragedy", "result in tragedy", or "bring about tragedy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause a tragedy" or "cause tragedy"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Cause a tragedy" is more common in general usage, but "cause tragedy" is acceptable, particularly when the type of tragedy is understood from the context.

What's the difference between "cause tragedy" and "result in tragedy"?

"Cause tragedy" focuses on the action that initiates the tragic event, while "result in tragedy" emphasizes the outcome. The former highlights the cause, and the latter highlights the effect.