caused trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"caused trouble" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe when someone has engaged in a mischievous behavior or caused disruption. Example: "The children's behavior caused trouble at the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Caused trouble invariably.

The New Yorker

The train caused trouble, but I understood.

The New York Times

They were not people who caused trouble".

Independent

It caused trouble between her and Gary.

The New Yorker

They had "caused trouble" for everybody.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No wonder the Borough Market railway project caused trouble.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even his byelection win in 1962 caused trouble.

The Guardian

But a gang of inflatables has caused trouble before.

The Guardian - Sport

"I never caused trouble in any dressing room.

The Guardian - Sport

He never caused trouble at the school again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, the hiccup in his momentum caused trouble.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caused trouble", ensure the context clearly identifies what type of trouble was caused. Be specific about the consequences of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "caused trouble" without specifying the nature of the trouble. Instead of saying "His actions caused trouble", clarify: "His actions caused financial trouble for the company."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused trouble" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something was the reason for problems or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Examples show it describing a wide range of scenarios, from personal relationships to political situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "caused trouble" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating the source of problems or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its presence across diverse contexts from formal news reports to casual conversations. While generally neutral in register, specifying the type of trouble helps avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "created problems" or "led to difficulties" may provide nuanced options for expression. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

created problems

Replaces "trouble" with a more general term, focusing on the creation of difficulties.

led to difficulties

Shifts the focus to the resulting difficulties, emphasizing the consequence of an action.

stirred up issues

Suggests an active role in creating conflict or problems.

provoked complications

Implies a more complex or intricate set of problems resulting from an action.

generated conflict

Focuses specifically on the creation of disagreement or opposition.

precipitated a crisis

Indicates a sudden and significant escalation of problems.

instigated unrest

Emphasizes the initiation of disturbance or turmoil.

fomented discord

Highlights the deliberate encouragement of disagreement and conflict.

spawned difficulties

Indicates that difficulties arose as a natural consequence or byproduct.

triggered disruption

Focuses on the act of initiating a disturbance or interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "caused trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "caused trouble" to indicate that someone or something created problems or difficulties. For example, "The heavy rain "caused flooding" in the city" or "His behavior "caused trouble at school"".

What are some alternatives to "caused trouble"?

Some alternatives include "created problems", "led to difficulties", or "stirred up issues". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "caused trouble" or "created problems"?

Both "caused trouble" and "created problems" are acceptable. "Created problems" may sound more formal or serious, while "caused trouble" can be used in a wider range of contexts, including less serious situations. It depends on the context, e.g. the sentence "His remarks "caused problems within the team"" could be seen as more formal then the sentence "His remarks "caused trouble within the team"".

What's the difference between "caused trouble" and "was trouble"?

"Caused trouble" implies an action that led to problems, while "was trouble" describes someone or something inherently problematic. For example, "His actions caused trouble" means his actions created problems. "He was trouble" suggests he is a problematic person.