help to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that contribute to a particular outcome or effect. Example: "The new policy changes help to cause a significant improvement in employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We pay billions for farm subsidies, and billions for the floods they help to cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Astonishingly, according to this newer, more critical view, dairy products almost certainly help to cause, rather than prevent, osteoporosis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So thorough is our dairy indoctrination that it requires a total gestalt switch to contemplate the notion that milk may help to cause the very diseases it's meant to prevent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is natural to think of means to an end, so understood, as actions that help to cause the end to occur.

SEP

I hope that by meeting our kids you can understand the pain and anguish you help to cause.

Huffington Post

Exercise helps because it increases the blood flow throughout your body, which in turn can help to cause blood clots to dissolve.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I remain extremely sorry for the harm I helped to cause him".

The Guardian

The river pollution is spreading and helping to cause dead zones in the open seas.

The New York Times

It was Oslo's ambiguity, and lack of substance, that helped to cause the present disenchantment.

The Economist

Critics blame these loans for helping to cause the housing market crash.

The New York Times

But, whenever the blackout ends, the underlying upheaval that helped to cause it won't go away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help to cause", ensure that the subject genuinely contributes to the outcome, rather than being the sole or primary reason. This phrasing works best when describing contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "help to cause" when the subject is the direct or main cause. Opt for stronger verbs like "cause", "create", or "generate" to accurately reflect the level of influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help to cause" functions as a verb phrase indicating a contributory role in bringing about a particular outcome. Ludwig shows that it is often used to describe factors that contribute to negative consequences, but it can be applied to other effects as well.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "help to cause" is grammatically sound but can be improved with more specific vocabulary depending on the context. Ludwig indicates that the phrase functions to express a contributing, rather than a sole, factor to an outcome, often within news and general informational contexts. Consider alternatives like "contribute to" or "play a role in" for enhanced precision and style. Remember, using stronger verbs might be more appropriate when the subject is the main cause. While Ludwig AI finds the phrase correct and usable, mindful application ensures clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contribute to

This alternative is a more neutral and common way of expressing that something plays a part in bringing about a result.

assist in causing

This alternative is a more formal phrasing of the original query, emphasizing the assistance provided.

play a role in

This alternative emphasizes the degree of involvement in bringing about an outcome.

be instrumental in

This alternative suggests a significant and crucial part in the causation.

factor into

This alternative expresses how something becomes a component of the final outcome.

lend itself to

This alternative frames the cause in a more indirect way, describing the conditions and what that means

exacerbate

This alternative suggests that the cause made the situation even worse.

fuel

This alternative indicates the action intensified the situation.

give rise to

This alternative is a more formal and literary way of saying that something leads to a particular situation or effect.

precipitate

This alternative suggests that the cause brought about the outcome suddenly or prematurely.

FAQs

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

Use "help to cause" when you want to indicate that something contributed to a particular result, but wasn't the only factor. For example, "Poor urban planning can "help to cause" traffic congestion".

What are some alternatives to "help to cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "contribute to", "play a role in", or "assist in causing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "help to cause" grammatically correct?

Yes, "help to cause" is grammatically correct, although it can sometimes sound awkward. There might be more elegant ways to phrase the same idea, such as using "contribute to" or "assist in".

When should I avoid using the phrase "help to cause"?

Avoid using "help to cause" when the subject is the primary or sole reason for the outcome. In such cases, stronger verbs like "cause" or "create" are more appropriate.