going to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an impending action or event that will lead to a specific outcome or effect. Example: "The heavy rain is going to cause flooding in low-lying areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's going to cause cancer.

The New York Times

That's really going to cause problems.

The New York Times

It's going to cause enormous damage.

The Guardian

"It's going to cause some inconveniences".

The New York Times

"All those things are going to cause problems.

The New York Times

They must know that this is going to cause problems".

Independent

If you do that, you're going to cause an accident.

The New York Times

"But it was going to cause so much hassle".

The New York Times

"These cuts are going to cause a lot of despair.

The New York Times

"The building is going to cause a geometric ripple effect".

The New York Times

"The past is going to cause too much trouble".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to cause" when you want to express a high degree of certainty about a future outcome. Ensure the context clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

While "going to cause" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "will result in" or "is expected to produce" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to cause" functions as a future-tense verb phrase indicating a future action that will lead to a specific result. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in predicting outcomes, expressing concerns, and highlighting potential consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going to cause" is a very common verb phrase used to express a future outcome or consequence with a high degree of certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context. In formal writing, alternatives like "will result in" or "is expected to produce" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "going to cause" when the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and the outcome is highly probable. Avoid overusing it, especially in contexts where a more sophisticated tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will result in

Uses 'result in' to emphasize the consequence of an action rather than the initiation of it.

will lead to

Focuses on the progression from one action to another, implying a sequence of events.

is expected to produce

Highlights the anticipation of a certain outcome, with a slightly more formal tone.

is likely to trigger

Emphasizes the initiation of a reaction or event, often suggesting a chain reaction.

will bring about

Indicates a more significant or impactful consequence, suggesting a transformative effect.

will give rise to

Suggests the creation or emergence of something new as a result of the initial action.

will be responsible for

Places emphasis on accountability and direct causation of the ensuing event.

is poised to generate

Suggests readiness and a high probability of producing a certain outcome.

will precipitate

Implies a hastening or acceleration of an event, often with a sense of urgency.

will contribute to

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

FAQs

How can I rephrase "going to cause" in a formal context?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "will result in", "will lead to", or "is expected to produce" for a more professional tone.

What's a more emphatic way to say "going to cause"?

For a stronger emphasis on the impact, you could use phrases like "will bring about" or "will precipitate". These alternatives suggest a more significant or accelerated consequence.

Is "going to cause" always interchangeable with "will cause"?

While similar, "going to cause" often implies a higher degree of certainty or immediacy compared to "will cause". Use "going to cause" when the outcome is highly predictable based on current conditions.

How does "going to cause" differ from "might cause"?

"Going to cause" suggests a higher probability than "might cause". "Might cause" implies uncertainty or a lower likelihood of the event occurring, whereas "going to cause" expresses a stronger expectation.