cause trouble for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause trouble for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something or someone is causing a problem for another person or thing. For example, "Her constant lateness to work is causing trouble for her supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bonds meant he would cause trouble for a pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

Galileo's increasingly overt Copernicanism began to cause trouble for him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For starters, the secret police could cause trouble for her family back home.

The Guardian

The role of fundamentalist Islamic militants in the recent bombings could cause trouble for Mr. Erdogan.

The New York Times

They became afraid that people were starting to support his thinking and that this would cause trouble for them.

The Guardian

Nor did he try to peel them off from each other or simply cause trouble for its own sake.

The Guardian - Books

He's back and he's out to cause trouble for his brother Pete, who thought he'd killed him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The idea that this might eventually cause trouble for an aging society was a problem for another day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Strathclyde Police scoff, pointing out that corruption allegations are an excellent way for criminals to cause trouble for the police.

The Economist

Because of their double-digit growth, they cause trouble for farmers, and they make parks and public places unusable by humans".

The New York Times

If he did not play more regularly than he did last season, he said, he would become a distraction and cause trouble for the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause trouble for" when you want to indicate that someone or something is creating problems or difficulties for another party. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "cause trouble for" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "create problems for" or "pose a challenge to" in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause trouble for" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes an action or situation that results in difficulties or problems for someone or something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause trouble for" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions or situations that create problems or difficulties for others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts, the phrase effectively communicates negative impacts, as showcased in the provided Ludwig examples. By understanding its nuances and potential substitutes, writers can leverage "cause trouble for" to enhance their expression while maintaining clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create problems for

Replaces "cause trouble" with "create problems", focusing on the outcome of the action.

make life difficult for

Highlights the act of making someone's existence challenging.

lead to difficulties for

Focuses on the consequential nature of the action, suggesting future problems.

pose a threat to

Shifts the focus to the potential danger or harm caused.

be detrimental to

Emphasizes the damaging or harmful effect on the target.

complicate matters for

Highlights the act of making things more complex or difficult.

be an obstacle for

Focuses on hindering progress or achievement.

spell disaster for

Indicates a very negative outcome or result.

put someone in a bind

Implies placing someone in a restrictive or problematic situation.

be a burden to

Emphasizes the negative weight or strain placed on the recipient.

FAQs

How to use "cause trouble for" in a sentence?

You can use "cause trouble for" to indicate that someone or something is creating problems or difficulties for another party. For example: "His constant tardiness will "cause trouble for" the entire team."

What can I say instead of "cause trouble for"?

You can use alternatives like "create problems for", "pose a threat to", or "be detrimental to" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cause trouble for" or "caused trouble for"?

"Cause trouble for" is the base form, while "caused trouble for" is the past tense. Choose the form that matches the tense of your sentence. For example, "His actions will "cause trouble for" the company" versus "His actions "caused trouble for" the company last year."

What's the difference between "cause trouble for" and "cause problems for"?

The phrases "cause trouble for" and "cause problems for" are largely interchangeable. "Cause problems for" might sound slightly more formal, but both convey the same basic meaning of creating difficulties for someone or something.