have cause to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have cause to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a reason or justification for a particular action or feeling. Example: "I have cause to believe that the project will be successful based on the team's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Brown would have cause to complain.

The Economist

Their insurers have cause to worry too.

The Economist

THE English have cause to feel flattered.

The Economist

We may have cause to regret that.

Independent

Now they have cause to celebrate.

The New York Times

Both sides have cause to gripe.

The New York Times - Books

Often, I have cause to celebrate editorial endeavour.

The Guardian

Even those who have cause to dislike Ms. Tarlow, don't.

The New York Times

"Often I have cause to celebrate editorial endeavour," he said.

The Guardian

We would all have cause to be ashamed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does he have cause to use it often, I wonder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have cause to" to clearly express that a specific reason or justification exists for a particular action, feeling, or belief. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about the cause.

Common error

Avoid using "have cause to" without clearly stating or implying the reason. For example, instead of saying "They have cause to worry", specify "They have cause to worry about the company's financial stability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have cause to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the existence of a valid reason or justification for a particular action, belief, or feeling. It is commonly used to express that someone or something has a legitimate basis for a specific response or emotion. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have cause to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate a valid reason or justification for an action, feeling, or belief. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is correct and widespread, particularly in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "have reason to" or "have grounds to" can be used, but "have cause to" remains a standard and versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have reason to

Focuses on the logical or rational basis for something.

have grounds to

Implies a legal or formal justification.

have justification to

Highlights the act of justifying or defending an action.

have warrant to

Suggests a formal authorization or permission.

have basis to

Emphasizes the fundamental support or foundation for something.

have a right to

Indicates a moral or legal entitlement.

be entitled to

Highlights the condition of being qualified or deserving.

find reason to

Suggests the discovery or identification of a justification.

be justified in

Focuses on the state of being proven right or reasonable.

be within one's rights to

Expresses the idea that an action is legally or morally permissible.

FAQs

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

You can use "have cause to" to indicate a valid reason or justification for a particular action or feeling. For example, "I "have cause to believe" that the project will be successful based on the team's performance".

What's a more formal way to say "have cause to"?

A more formal way to express "have cause to" is to say "have grounds to" or "have justification to", particularly when referring to legal or official contexts.

Is it correct to say "have cause for" instead of "have cause to"?

While "have cause for" might be used in some contexts, "have cause to" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing when indicating a reason to do something.

What's the difference between "have cause to" and "have reason to"?

The phrases "have cause to" and "have reason to" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "have cause to" might imply a slightly stronger or more specific justification than "have reason to".