for causing embarrassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for causing embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or situations that lead to someone feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Example: "He apologized for causing embarrassment during the meeting when he mistakenly revealed confidential information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It added that Gillespie's "protected disclosures" had the "potential for causing embarrassment to the [trust], and to Mr Glick as [her] line manager".

The Guardian

Winston, a third-year sophomore and only 20 years old, apologized for causing embarrassment to himself and the university as his actions sparked a pun-filled flurry of seafood jokes on social media.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He asked that his name not be printed for fear of causing embarrassment to his family.

The New York Times

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

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

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

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

It is like a great musician struggling with scale – what was once taken for granted now causes embarrassment.

Independent

Rather than deploring criticism from abroad, he said, the Egyptian government would do better to improve its human rights record, which would leave less room for foreigners to cause embarrassment.

The Guardian

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for causing embarrassment", ensure the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the embarrassment and what action or situation is the cause. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "for causing embarrassment" when the embarrassment stems from an inherent quality or situation, rather than a specific action. Instead, rephrase to emphasize the inherent quality that leads to embarrassment. For instance, instead of saying "he apologized for causing embarrassment because of his height," consider something like "he was self-conscious about his height, which sometimes caused him embarrassment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for causing embarrassment" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the reason or cause behind an action or feeling. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for causing embarrassment" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the reason behind an action that results in someone feeling embarrassed or ashamed. As identified by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, although its frequency is uncommon, and it is primarily found in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to ensure the context clarifies who is experiencing the embarrassment and what is causing it. Consider alternatives like "for creating awkwardness" or "for inducing shame" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for creating awkwardness

Focuses on the uncomfortable social situation created.

for generating shame

Highlights the feeling of disgrace that arises.

for inducing humiliation

Emphasizes the act of making someone feel humiliated.

for provoking discomfort

Focuses on the uneasy feeling caused.

for inciting discomfiture

Highlights the feeling of being disconcerted or confused.

for bringing about disgrace

Emphasizes the result of losing respect or honor.

for stirring up chagrin

Focuses on the feeling of vexation marked by disappointment or failure.

for fostering mortification

Highlights the feeling of extreme embarrassment or shame.

for eliciting awkwardness

Focuses on bringing forth a feeling of awkwardness from a situation.

for engendering opprobrium

Emphasizes the cause of public disgrace arising from conduct considered outrageously shameful.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "for inducing shame", "for generating disgrace", or "for provoking discomfiture". These alternatives add a layer of seriousness and distance.

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

In informal settings, you might use alternatives such as "for making things awkward", "for being a pain", or "for making a fool of". These convey the same general meaning with a more casual tone.

When is it appropriate to use "for causing embarrassment"?

It's appropriate when you want to express the reason or justification for an action or situation that has led to someone feeling ashamed, uncomfortable, or humiliated. For example, "He apologized "for causing embarrassment" during the meeting by revealing confidential information."

What's the difference between "for causing embarrassment" and "for causing inconvenience"?

"For causing embarrassment" refers to a situation where someone feels ashamed or humiliated, while "for causing inconvenience" refers to a situation where someone's actions have created trouble or difficulty for others. Embarrassment deals with feelings of shame, whereas inconvenience deals with practical difficulties.