could cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could cause" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate a potential outcome or consequence of a certain action or event. Here are two examples: 1) "Using the wrong medication could cause serious side effects." 2) "Not following safety protocols could cause an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This could cause clashes.

The Economist

"It could cause serious consequences".

The New York Times

Zinc deficiency could cause both.

The New York Times

A tsunami could cause flooding.

The New York Times

"That could cause backlash.

The New York Times

This could cause confusion.

The Guardian

That could cause problems.

The Guardian

What else could cause this descending paralysis?

The New York Times - Magazine

But it could cause less political blowback.

The New York Times

What could cause a collapse?

Forbes

And this could cause static for WebTV.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could cause", consider specifying the likelihood or severity of the potential consequence to provide more clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "could cause" when the connection between the action and the result is speculative or unsubstantiated. Ensure there's a logical basis for the potential outcome.

Linguistic Context

"Could cause" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potentiality. It indicates that a particular action or event has the potential to lead to a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and frequently used to highlight probable, but not certain results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could cause" is a versatile phrase used to express potential consequences or risks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. While "could cause" is suitable for many contexts, be mindful of the strength of your claims and consider alternatives like ""might lead to"" or "may result in" depending on the desired level of certainty. Remember to avoid overstating causation and provide clear context for the potential outcome. By understanding its nuances, you can use "could cause" effectively to communicate potential consequences with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might lead to

Emphasizes a potential progression or development towards a specific outcome.

may result in

Suggests a possible consequence, often used in a more formal or technical context.

can bring about

Highlights the ability to initiate or produce a certain effect.

has the potential to create

Focuses on the inherent possibility of generating a particular situation.

is liable to provoke

Implies a tendency or likelihood of instigating a specific reaction.

can give rise to

Indicates the possibility of originating or starting something.

is capable of triggering

Highlights the ability to initiate a process or event, often a sudden one.

can be responsible for

Suggests a potential link of causation or accountability.

threatens to generate

Implies a looming possibility of producing a potentially negative outcome.

risks producing

Highlights the element of risk involved in causing a particular effect.

FAQs

How can I use "could cause" in a sentence?

Use "could cause" to indicate a possible or potential outcome of a specific action or situation. For instance, "Ignoring safety regulations "might lead to" accidents".

What are some alternatives to "could cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "may result in", ""might lead to"", or "can bring about".

Is it always appropriate to use "could cause" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider stronger verbs like "will cause" if the outcome is highly probable, or rephrase to emphasize certainty if the context requires it. Use alternatives like "may result in" or ""might lead to"" to soften the claim.

What's the difference between "could cause" and "will cause"?

"Could cause" indicates a possibility, whereas "will cause" implies certainty. Using "could cause" suggests a potential outcome that is not guaranteed, while "will cause" states a definite result.