had cause to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had cause to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a reason or justification for an action or feeling. Example: "She had cause to believe that the project would be successful based on the initial feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had cause to be grateful.

The New Yorker

The victors had cause to mistrust her.

The New Yorker

The producers had cause to be prudent.

The Economist

He had cause to fear widespread indifference.

The Guardian - Sport

The women had cause to rejoice.

The New York Times

Rangers' manager had cause to look at his own situation.

The Guardian - Sport

Had they ever had cause to call on them before?

The Guardian

We had cause to be grateful for the latter.

The Guardian

But it was Comcast that had cause to crow loudest.

The New York Times

I have never had cause to complain in the past.

The Guardian - Tech

Now he had cause to return to that narrative.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had cause to" when you want to express that someone had a valid reason or justification for a particular action, feeling, or belief. For instance, "The company had cause to celebrate record profits this quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "had cause to" when a weaker justification is intended. If the reason is minor or subjective, consider using phrases like "felt like" or "seemed to have a reason" instead. The phrase implies a significant and defensible justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had cause to" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone had a valid reason or justification for a specific action, feeling, or belief. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is commonly used to explain or legitimize a particular response or behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had cause to" is a versatile expression used to indicate that someone possessed a valid reason or justification for their actions or feelings. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason is substantial enough to warrant the strength of the expression, and consider alternatives like ""had reason to"" or "was justified in" for subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had reason to

Replaces "cause" with "reason", emphasizing a logical basis for an action or feeling.

had grounds to

Substitutes "cause" with "grounds", suggesting a more formal or legal justification.

had justification to

Focuses on the presence of a valid reason or excuse.

had sufficient basis to

Highlights the existence of a strong foundation or rationale.

was justified in

Rephrases to highlight the legitimacy or rightfulness of an action.

was warranted in

Suggests that a particular action was appropriate or necessary in the given circumstances.

felt entitled to

Implies a sense of deserving a particular outcome or action.

had a right to

Indicates a moral or legal entitlement to something.

possessed a valid motive to

Suggests that there was an underlying motivation or intention.

was within their rights to

Emphasizes the legal or permissible nature of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "had cause to" in a sentence?

Use "had cause to" to indicate that someone possessed a valid reason or justification for a particular action, feeling, or belief. For example, "After the false accusations, she "had reason to" be upset".

What can I say instead of "had cause to"?

You can use alternatives like ""had reason to"", "was justified in", or "had grounds to" depending on the context.

Is "had cause to" formal or informal?

"Had cause to" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more commonly found in news articles and professional writing.

What's the difference between "had cause to" and "had the opportunity to"?

"Had cause to" implies a reason or justification for an action, while "had the opportunity to" simply means that someone had the chance to do something. The former is about justification, the latter is about possibility.