it can cascade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can cascade" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where one event or action leads to a series of related events or actions, often in a chain reaction manner. Example: "If the initial error is not addressed, it can cascade into larger issues that affect the entire system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It can cascade.

Independent

When entrepreneurs get [a novel] experience just right, it can cascade and compound into bigger things".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Documentation because there are so many of us, there are so many of us it is difficult to talk to everyone, so it's documentation, it's getting a memo out, getting something in the communication book so that or putting information in the appropriate place so that everybody gets it or giving information to the key people who can cascade it down.

BMC Nursing

In a wide-ranging first public speech that set our her priorities for leading the UK regulator through turbulent post-Brexit times, Denham said the ICO intends to pick and choose its investigations with the aim of maximizing its impact — to, as she put it, "enable results which can cascade across a sector".

TechCrunch

To make it really pretty, you can cascade a few bows down long ribbons from the bottom of your base, creating an upside-down teardrop.

WikiHow

It is believed that most waste materials can cascade through a series of uses that can enhance job creation, decrease the need for 'natural resources' and eventually, the overall waste flows.

City, Territory and Architecture

For the applications built on top of Amazon, sometimes negative consequences from these events can cascade through your infrastructure (e.g. when one service goes down, it then overloads another service that was otherwise fine), and in other cases some apps just don't have resilience for these events built into their software.

TechCrunch

We've been looking at whether effects can cascade up and down food webs.

The Guardian

A badly handled problem during a rush can cascade and send the whole dining room careering toward disaster.

The New Yorker

On the one hand it is easy to see how a very simple sort of doubt about the authenticity of another's behaviour can cascade, almost out of control, towards full-blown solipsism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although she was giggly onstage, Ms. Arie is an earnest songwriter with a voice that can cascade down to a sultry contralto, and she is finding her way between Tracy Chapman's coffeehouse acoustic-guitar plucking and Erykah Badu's bohemian soul.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can cascade" when you want to emphasize that an initial action or event has a series of subsequent effects, often implying a flow from one thing to another. This is particularly effective in describing processes or systems where actions have interconnected results.

Common error

Avoid using "it can cascade" when a simple, direct sequence of events is more appropriate. The phrase implies a more complex or far-reaching set of consequences than a straightforward cause and effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can cascade" functions as a verb phrase indicating the potential for a series of events to unfold sequentially, with each event triggered by the preceding one. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can cascade" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to express that an action or event has a series of consequential effects. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and applicable across multiple domains, although it's relatively rare. While versatile, the best practice is to use the phrase when describing a complex, interconnected series of events, and to avoid it when a more direct cause-and-effect relationship is more appropriate. Alternatives like "it may trigger a sequence" or "it could set off a chain reaction" can provide a more precise nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might initiate a domino effect

Uses a common metaphor to describe a chain of events where one action leads directly to the next.

it could set off a chain reaction

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship, implying an uncontrolled series of events.

it can have a knock-on effect

Highlights the indirect consequences of an action.

it may trigger a sequence

Replaces "cascade" with a more general term for a series of events, focusing on initiation.

it can generate a flow-on effect

Uses business terminology to describe the downstream consequences.

it could give rise to a chain of consequences

Emphasizes the consequential nature of the events that follow.

it may cause a ripple effect

Suggests a spreading, less direct influence, similar to ripples in water.

it could lead to a series of events

A more formal and general way to describe a sequence of occurrences.

it may create a ripple effect

Suggests that a change or event has effects that spread out.

it might spark a progression

Focuses on the initiation of a forward movement or development.

FAQs

What does "it can cascade" mean?

The phrase "it can cascade" means that one event or action leads to a series of related events or actions, often in a chain reaction manner. It implies a flow or progression from one thing to another.

How can I use "it can cascade" in a sentence?

You can use "it can cascade" to describe a situation where an initial action has a series of subsequent effects. For example, "If the initial error is not addressed, "it can cascade" into larger issues that affect the entire system."

What are some alternatives to "it can cascade"?

You can use alternatives like "it may trigger a sequence", "it could set off a chain reaction", or "it might initiate a domino effect" depending on the specific context.

Is "it can cascade" formal or informal?

The phrase "it can cascade" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as in scientific and technical writing. However, its impact may vary depending on the audience and the specific context of the communication.