causing embarrassment for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing embarrassment for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or action that leads to someone feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Example: "His careless remarks were causing embarrassment for his colleagues during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The controversy surrounding foreign acquisitions intensified last year when American food company Kraft launched a hostile – and ultimately successful – bid for chocolate maker Cadbury, causing embarrassment for ministers.

The Guardian - Business

The Verge's story suggests that CBS legal worried that CNET praise could show up in the Dish litigation, potentially causing embarrassment for CBS: the legal department is "just trying to keep its court case clean," said a Verge source.

MIT Technology Review

Schumacher was later reprimanded by the stewards for impeding the two HRTs, causing embarrassment for the German as HRT have consistently been the slowest team in Formula One since their arrival in the sport in 2010.

The Guardian - Sport

3 Its impact on quality of life is well known, since nail dystrophies are often highly visible, causing embarrassment for the patient and considerable disability in many cases.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Trump upended one spending agreement, after signaling acceptance, which caused the government to shut down for a record length of time and caused embarrassment for McConnell.

The Washington Post

Rising food bank use caused embarrassment for the coalition, which was regularly forced to deny that the phenomenon was linked to its welfare reforms.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, the issue had potential to cause embarrassment for Trump, whose long trail of Twitter messages often comes back to haunt him.

The Guardian

His stolen emails were released publicly in the final weeks of the presidential election campaign and caused embarrassment for their blunt assessments of various matters.

The Washington Post

Pakistan's prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, spoke for many when he said accusations against the team "have caused embarrassment for the entire nation".

The Economist

They have occasionally caused embarrassment for the government.For example, John Major's government set up the Scott inquiry to examine the illegal export of arms to Iraq.

The Economist

It could also cause embarrassment for banks, particularly if they had not marked down securities they owned to the level at which they were prepared to buy them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causing embarrassment for", ensure the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the embarrassment and what is causing it. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid vague language that obscures who or what is "causing embarrassment". Always clearly specify the source to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing embarrassment for" functions as a causative expression, indicating that an action or situation is the reason for someone's feeling of embarrassment. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "causing embarrassment for" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that an action or situation is responsible for someone's feeling of embarrassment. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the source and recipient of the embarrassment to avoid misinterpretations. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "leading to embarrassment for". Overall, the phrase is a straightforward way to assign blame or responsibility for awkward or shameful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading to embarrassment for

Replaces "causing" with "leading to", altering the verb but retaining the overall meaning of the phrase. Highlights the result rather than the direct action.

resulting in embarrassment for

Similar to "leading to", this phrase emphasizes the outcome or consequence of an action, but is less informal than "leading to".

bringing shame upon

Shifts the focus to the feeling of shame rather than general embarrassment. Conveys a stronger sense of disgrace.

reflecting poorly on

Changes the construction to highlight the negative image or impression created by an action, rather than the direct feeling of embarrassment.

creating awkwardness for

Focuses on the discomfort or awkwardness generated by a situation, differing slightly from direct embarrassment but sharing a similar social impact.

making someone look foolish

This alternative emphasize ridicule and diminished respect rather than a broader sense of shame or unease.

discrediting someone in the eyes of

This phrase highlight a loss of reputation or trustworthiness, moving beyond simple embarrassment into damage of credibility.

putting someone in an uncomfortable position

Describes making someone experience psychological discomfort but does not use any reference to "embarrassment".

damaging someone's reputation

Moves from the feeling of embarrassment to the concrete effect this feeling can have on someone, especially on a professional scale.

causing humiliation to

Replaces "embarrassment" with "humiliation" for a stronger and more intense feeling. Indicates a more significant loss of pride or dignity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "causing embarrassment for" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "resulting in embarrassment for" or "leading to embarrassment for", which emphasize the consequence of an action.

Is "causing embarrassment for" always negative?

Yes, the phrase typically carries a negative connotation, implying that someone or something is responsible for making someone else feel ashamed, awkward, or humiliated. It is rarely used in a positive context.

What are some less direct alternatives to "causing embarrassment for"?

If you want to soften the impact, consider alternatives like "creating awkwardness for" or "putting someone in an uncomfortable position", which focus on the discomfort rather than the embarrassment itself.

How does "causing embarrassment for" differ from "shaming" someone?

"Causing embarrassment for" is generally milder than "shaming" someone. Shaming implies a deliberate attempt to humiliate, whereas "causing embarrassment" can be unintentional.