give cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give cause for" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means to provide a reason or justification for something. Example: The company's poor financial performance gave cause for concern among its investors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both options give cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vital signs give cause for hope.

The New York Times - Magazine

And projects like this one give cause for optimism.

The Guardian - Travel

At first sight, the figures give cause for alarm.

The Guardian

Still, some aspects of the current downturn give cause for concern.

The New York Times

For conscientious readers and editors, Ecker's findings across the two studies give cause for concern.

The New Yorker

Neither ourselves, her friends or family noticed anything to give cause for concern," she said.

The Guardian

However, while some of the proposed solutions are welcome, others give cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Probably, but some of his hangers-on give cause for worry.

The Economist

As for Prince Charles, jubilee sightings of the next in line are so rare as to give cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

But some of the details of how the Treasury handled the summit diplomacy do give cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give cause for", ensure that the reason or justification provided is clear and directly linked to the situation or feeling being described. For instance, instead of saying "The situation gave cause for something", specify what it gave cause for, such as "The company's losses gave cause for concern among investors."

Common error

Avoid using "give cause for" in an overly general or vague way. Instead of saying, "The news gave cause for reaction", be specific about the reaction: "The unexpected job losses gave cause for widespread anger and protests."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give cause for" functions as a causal link, indicating that something is providing a reason or justification for a particular feeling, action, or state. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it commonly precedes nouns expressing emotions or states of being, such as "concern", "optimism", or "alarm".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give cause for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to link a situation or event with a resulting feeling or action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something provides a reason or justification. The phrase sees frequent use in news, scientific writing, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, clarity is key: writers should ensure the connection between the cause and effect is explicit, avoiding vagueness. While alternatives exist, "give cause for" remains a reliable and effective choice for expressing causality in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a basis for

This alternative focuses on the foundation or grounds for something, similar to providing a reason.

create reason for

This phrase emphasizes the act of generating or bringing about a reason.

present justification for

This alternative highlights the act of offering an explanation or defense.

generate concern about

This option specifically targets situations where the cause leads to worry or unease.

offer grounds for

Similar to providing a basis, this suggests supplying the necessary support or justification.

prompt feeling of

Focuses on what the cause brings about as an emotion or sensation.

raise possibility of

This suggests the creation of a potential outcome based on the cause.

lead to suspicion of

This is more specific, indicating that the cause generates doubt or mistrust.

establish motive for

Focuses on the establishment of a reason or intent behind an action.

invite speculation on

This phrase indicates that the cause leads to conjecture or guessing.

FAQs

How can I use "give cause for" in a sentence?

Use "give cause for" to indicate that something provides a reason or justification for a particular feeling, action, or concern. For example, "The unexpected results "give cause for" celebration" or "The high infection rates "give cause for" alarm".

What are some alternatives to "give cause for"?

Alternatives include "provide a basis for", "create reason for", or "present justification for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "give cause for concern" or "cause concern"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""give cause for" concern" implies that there is a specific reason or event that is prompting the concern. "Cause concern" is more general. For example, "The company's debt "gives cause for" concern among its shareholders" is more specific than "The company's debt causes concern."

What's the difference between "give cause for" and "result in"?

"Give cause for" means to provide a reason or justification, while "result in" means to lead to a specific outcome. For example, "The data "give cause for" optimism", but "The storm resulted in flooding".