cause trouble to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause trouble to" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of making someone or something's life or situation more difficult due to one's action or influence. For example: "The construction downtown caused trouble to the nearby residents, whose peaceful lives have been disrupted by the loud noises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Any attempt to cause trouble to China is doomed to fail".

The New York Times

As Kamel put it, "he wasn't the kind of guy to cause trouble, to deal cannabis or get into fights".

The Guardian

"He was bowling very well for Middlesex at the end of the season and then he was able to cause trouble to Indian batsmen in Indian conditions, which certainly gives you a huge amount of confidence as a bowler.

Independent

He probably had many motives: to mark the first anniversary of his father's death; to remind Barack Obama that he can still cause trouble; to outdo South Korea, which has just had to postpone a space launch of its own; and to erase the embarrassment of the North's botched launch in April.

The Economist

Built-in tests (BITs) are widely used in mechanical systems to perform state identification, whereas the BIT false and missed alarms cause trouble to the operators or beneficiaries to make correct judgments.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

"Over the years there have been all sorts of people coming to this country to cause trouble to make a nuisance of themselves, to stir up Australian against Australian," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"We are deeply sorry for causing trouble to our customers.

The New York Times - Tech

After his conviction, Mr. Lee said he was "sorry for causing trouble to the people".

The New York Times - Tech

"We have caused trouble to many people, and the value of our company has declined," he said.

The New York Times

Only Javier Pastore's delicate turns caused trouble to the Valencia midfield as PSG's cautious approach gave the Spaniards the confidence to attack.

The Guardian - Sport

You really have to be causing trouble to get kicked out of one of those.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the type of trouble caused. For instance, instead of "The new policy caused trouble to employees", specify: "The new policy caused financial trouble to employees".

Common error

Avoid using "cause trouble to" in extremely informal contexts, as it can sound somewhat stilted. Opt for more natural expressions like "make things hard for" or "give someone a hard time" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause trouble to" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" is the main verb and "trouble" is the direct object. It describes the action of creating difficulties or problems for someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause trouble to" is a valid and understandable expression used to describe creating problems or difficulties for someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct, it is important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase. More formal alternatives like "create difficulties for" may be preferable in some situations, while informal settings may benefit from using a simpler expression. Pay attention to the intended level of formality and choose an expression that aligns with your desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create difficulties for

This alternative uses a more formal tone and focuses on the creation of difficulties.

make problems for

This is a more direct and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

give someone a hard time

This phrase is more idiomatic and implies harassment or annoyance.

inflict hardship on

This alternative emphasizes the severity of the trouble caused, suggesting significant suffering.

create disruption for

This emphasizes the interruption and disorder caused.

be detrimental to

This suggests a harmful effect or damage, rather than just inconvenience.

impose burdens on

This highlights the imposition of obligations or difficulties.

cause inconvenience to

This alternative is more polite and focuses on minor troubles.

make life difficult for

A common and straightforward way to express the idea of making things harder.

present challenges to

This alternative focuses on presenting obstacles or tests.

FAQs

What does it mean to "cause trouble to" someone?

To "cause trouble to" someone means to create problems, difficulties, or disturbances for them, making their life or situation more challenging.

What are some formal alternatives to "cause trouble to"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases such as "create difficulties for", "be detrimental to", or "inflict hardship on".

Is there a difference between "cause trouble to" and "cause problems for"?

While similar, "cause trouble to" often implies a broader range of disturbances, whereas "cause problems for" might refer to more specific, identifiable issues. However, they are often interchangeable depending on the context.

How can I avoid sounding too formal when using "cause trouble to"?

In informal situations, use alternatives like "make life difficult for" or "give someone a hard time" to sound more natural.