commonly cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly cause" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that frequently leads to a particular outcome, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Certain factors can commonly cause misunderstandings in communication."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Viruses commonly cause the infection.

Harvard University

Power line strikes and illegal shootings commonly cause premature death.

The New York Times - Science

Systemic infections commonly cause sickness symptoms including psychomotor retardation.

Biological Psychiatry

Cui, F. et al. Two single mutations commonly cause qualitative change of nonspecific carboxylesterases in insects.

Nature

Viruses commonly cause even hives, which we usually think of as being caused by an allergy.

Harvard University

As they become adults, most people develop immunity to the bacteria that most commonly cause scarlet fever.

The New York Times

Otherwise you're going to have dire consequences". Food allergies commonly cause kidney, liver, gastro-intestinal, and skin conditions.

The Washington Post

The NHS prescribes anti-epilepsy drugs but they commonly cause uncontrollable tremors, hair loss, swollen gums and rashes.

The Guardian

Abrupt motions commonly cause conventional tracking methods to fail because they violate the motion smoothness constraint.

Neurocomputing

Background & Aims: We have recently shown that enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains commonly cause travelers' diarrhea.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Next, keep your home clean, not only to remove pet allergens but also other substances that commonly cause allergies, like dust mites, mold and pollen.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical accuracy, replace "commonly cause" with phrases like "often lead to" or "frequently result in" to ensure your writing is perceived as professional and correct.

Common error

Do not use "commonly cause" directly in your writing. The structure is grammatically flawed. Instead, restructure your sentence to use a more appropriate phrase such as "often cause" or "frequently cause".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly cause" is intended to function as a verb phrase indicating a frequent cause-and-effect relationship. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig. It aims to express that certain actions or conditions frequently lead to specific outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

39%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "commonly cause" is frequently used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to use alternatives like "often cause", "frequently cause", or "typically cause" to ensure grammatical accuracy. Despite its common occurrence, its flawed structure makes it unsuitable for formal writing. Therefore, writers should aim for more grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently result in

Emphasizes the outcome as a consequence of a recurring action, providing a more formal tone.

often lead to

Highlights the directional aspect of causation, suggesting a pathway from cause to effect.

typically produce

Focuses on the creation or generation of something as a result of a common action.

generally induce

Suggests a more clinical or scientific context, implying a specific and predictable effect.

regularly trigger

Implies a stimulus-response relationship, where a common action sets off a chain of events.

usually generate

Similar to 'typically produce', but may imply a less predictable or more varied outcome.

commonly contribute to

Indicates that the action is one of several factors that lead to a particular result.

frequently instigate

Suggests a more deliberate or forceful initiation of an event or process.

typically give rise to

Emphasizes the emergence or origination of something as a result of a common cause.

regularly bring about

Highlights the achievement or realization of a particular outcome through a recurring action.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express something that frequently causes an effect?

Instead of using the grammatically incorrect phrase "commonly cause", you can use options like "often cause", "frequently cause", or "typically cause".

Is "commonly cause" grammatically correct?

No, "commonly cause" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "often cause" or "frequently cause" to convey the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "commonly cause" in a formal context?

In a formal context, you can replace "commonly cause" with phrases like "frequently result in" or "often lead to". These alternatives provide a more polished and grammatically sound expression.

How does using "often cause" differ from "commonly cause"?

While the intended meaning is similar, "often cause" is grammatically correct, while "commonly cause" is not. Opting for "often cause" ensures clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.