cause yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cause yourself' is not a grammatically correct sentence in English.
The correct phrase here is 'because of yourself', which indicates that something has happened or is happening because of an action that you have taken. For example, "You got fired from your job because of yourself; you were late too many times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Basically, it's living so you don't cause yourself more pain, plus learning a technique (meditation) to detach from painful thoughts and feelings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Once you start sitting around thinking about getting older, you cause yourself some problems". Plays in Final All-Star Game Derek Jeter led off the All-Star Game with a double that sparked a three-run inning as the American League topped the National League and gained home-field advantage for the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

The second half is spent advising the reader how to be just enough of an arsehole to get on without, you know, actually being an arsehole arsehole: learn to read the lie of the land; suck up without looking sucky; boast without looking boastful; network and scratch backs; cultivate a persona but don't cause yourself to have a nervous breakdown by cultivating one wildly unlike your own, and so on.

The Guardian - Books

But you are going to set yourself back a thousand clams and cause yourself a lot of stress.

TechCrunch

It's nice to care, but sometimes if you care too much you cause yourself more stress than you need to.

BBC

"Every single one of us has punched something or pushed something out of frustration but you don't expect to cause yourself injury".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"But if you put all the wells in one spot, you could be causing yourself a lot of trouble".

The New York Times - Science

At one point the mother says one of the worst things in life is trying to get over bad things you have caused yourself.

The Guardian - Books

Which means you're free: free to be nothing, or nothing in particular, which really is freedom when you consider the grief you caused yourself trying to be something special.

The New York Times - Arts

There's a chance you're exaggerating the prestige of the audience, causing yourself unnecessary worry and stress.

Forbes

The Drug Lessons They Should Have Taught You at SCausing

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase sentences using grammatically correct constructions such as "because of yourself" or "by your own actions" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "cause yourself" directly as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, clarify the relationship: "You caused problems for yourself" is correct, as it includes an object of the verb "caused".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause yourself" is typically used as part of a reflexive construction where someone's actions have direct consequences for themselves. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically incorrect and needs to be rephrased to include a direct object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

36%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cause yourself" appears frequently in various contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. As flagged by Ludwig AI, it's essential to rephrase sentences using constructions like "cause problems for yourself" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. The phrase is commonly found in informal contexts such as Wiki and News & Media, but should be avoided in more formal or scientific writing. Remember to focus on accurate expression to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring about your own

This alternative uses a more formal tone by using the verb "bring about" instead of "cause".

inflict upon yourself

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing something negative to oneself, often implying pain or suffering.

create for yourself

This alternative focuses on the act of producing or generating something, whether positive or negative, for one's own experience.

subject yourself to

This alternative highlights the act of exposing oneself to something, often implying a negative or challenging experience.

be the architect of your own

This phrase suggests a more deliberate and planned approach to causing something for oneself.

make yourself vulnerable to

Focuses on actions that increase exposure to potential harm or negative outcomes.

be responsible for your own

Highlights accountability for the outcomes you experience.

generate your own

Similar to "create for yourself" but with a stronger emphasis on the process of generation.

contribute to your own

Emphasizes the role of personal actions in leading to specific results or circumstances.

engineer your own

Implies a calculated and strategic approach to bringing about a particular result for oneself.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct way to express "cause yourself"?

Instead of "cause yourself", use phrases like "cause problems for yourself" or "bring trouble upon yourself". These constructions clarify the relationship between the action and the recipient.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "cause yourself" to make it more formal?

For a more formal tone, replace "cause yourself" with "be the author of your own misfortune" or "create circumstances detrimental to yourself".

What does it mean when someone says you are "causing problems for yourself"?

It means your actions are leading to negative consequences specifically affecting you. A better way to phrase it, depending on the context, would be "you are creating issues for yourself".

Is "cause yourself" ever grammatically correct?

The phrase "cause yourself" is not grammatically correct in standard English. To convey a similar meaning, it is better to say you "are causing harm to yourself" or that you are "creating problems for yourself".