gives cause for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gives cause for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is a reason or justification for a particular action or feeling. Example: "The recent increase in crime rates gives cause for concern among residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The past gives cause for confidence but no ironclad guarantee.

The Washington Post

But the report also gives cause for comfort.

The Washington Post

But another historical analogy gives cause for concern.

The Economist

The fact that women are now so much better represented gives cause for optimism.

The Guardian

But the form of quarterback Matt Schaub gives cause for serious concern.

The Guardian - Sport

Although Pride gives cause for celebration, there is still much to fight for.

The Guardian

The final line of the quoted section gives cause for the greatest concern.

Independent

Much as I like to back investigative journalism, the committee's report gives cause for concern.

Independent

But advocates for the poor say the number of people facing the deadline gives cause for concern.

The New York Times

But it's not only the advance of the far-right Progress party that gives cause for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the fact that HIV can now be treated as a chronic condition gives cause for hope.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gives cause for", ensure that the reason or justification you are providing is clear and directly related to the action or feeling being described. For example, "The company's strong financial performance gives cause for optimism."

Common error

Avoid using "gives cause for" with overly general or ambiguous reasons. Instead of saying "The situation gives cause for concern", be specific: "The lack of transparency gives cause for concern among investors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gives cause for" functions as a causal connector, linking a situation or event to a resulting emotion, action, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that something provides a reason or justification. For example, 'The final line of the quoted section gives cause for the greatest concern.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gives cause for" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something provides a reason or justification for a particular feeling, action, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with significant presence in scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason provided is clear and directly related to the action or feeling being described. Related phrases include "provides reason for", "warrants", and "presents grounds for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provides a reason for

Changes the verb from "gives" to "provides", which offers a slightly more formal tone.

presents grounds for

Replaces "cause" with "grounds", implying a more legalistic or formal justification.

justifies

A more concise verb that directly indicates the act of providing a justification.

warrants

Implies that something is deserving of a particular action or feeling.

creates reason for

Similar to 'provides a reason for' but emphasizes the act of creation or origination.

offers justification for

Combines 'offers' with 'justification' for a slightly more emphatic tone.

leads to

Indicates a direct consequence or result, focusing on the outcome.

prompts

Suggests that something instigates or encourages a particular action or feeling.

explains

Highlights the explanatory aspect, indicating why something is happening.

accounts for

Shows that something is responsible for or contributes to a particular situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "gives cause for" to indicate that something is a reason or justification for a particular feeling or action. For example, "The increasing number of positive cases "gives cause for" concern among health officials."

What phrases are similar to "gives cause for"?

Similar phrases include "provides reason for", "warrants", or "presents grounds for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality desired.

Is it better to say "gives cause for concern" or "causes concern"?

"Gives cause for concern" suggests that something provides a reason to be worried, while "causes concern" indicates a direct effect of creating worry. The former is often used when highlighting the justification for concern, whereas the latter emphasizes the result. In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but subtle differences in nuance exist.

What's the difference between "gives cause for" and "has cause for"?

"Gives cause for" indicates that something provides a reason or justification. "Has cause for", on the other hand, suggests that someone possesses a reason to feel or act a certain way. For example, "The data "gives cause for" optimism" versus "She "has cause for" celebration after receiving the award."