it caused

USAGE SUMMARY

"it caused" is an acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has had a certain result or consequence. For example: "The tornado's destruction it caused was devastating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It caused a sensation.

Independent

It caused a storm.

The Economist

"It caused traffic jams.

The New York Times - Food

It caused some angst.

The New Yorker

It caused a furore.

The Economist

Sure, it caused some resentment.

The New York Times

However, it caused some confusion.

The New Yorker

It caused an immediate furor.

The New Yorker

"It caused a little turmoil".

The New York Times

"It caused some heartburn.

The New York Times

But it caused upset".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it caused" when you want to clearly and directly link an action or event to its consequence. This phrase is effective for establishing causality in a straightforward manner.

Common error

Avoid using "it caused" if the "it" is ambiguous. Always make sure the pronoun has a clear and direct antecedent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it caused" functions as a causative expression, indicating that a particular action or event led to a specific outcome. Ludwig examples show its prevalent use in connecting events with their direct consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it caused" is a versatile phrase used to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in English writing. Its strength lies in its directness, making it suitable for a range of contexts, but it's particularly common in News & Media. While there are many alternative expressions, such as "it led to" or "it resulted in", "it caused" remains a straightforward and effective choice for establishing causality. Remember to ensure that the pronoun "it" has a clear reference to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it led to

Emphasizes the sequence of events, focusing on the outcome.

it resulted in

Highlights the final result or effect of an action.

it brought about

Suggests a more significant or transformative effect.

it gave rise to

Implies the start or creation of something new.

it triggered

Indicates a sudden or immediate reaction.

it generated

Focuses on the production or creation of something as a result.

it produced

Similar to 'generated', but can also refer to tangible outcomes.

it contributed to

Suggests that it was one of several factors leading to the outcome.

it was responsible for

Directly assigns accountability for the result.

it was the reason for

Explicitly states the cause-and-effect relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "it caused" to indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "The heavy rain it caused flooding in the city."

What are some alternatives to "it caused"?

You can use alternatives like "it led to", "it resulted in", or "it brought about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "it caused"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "it caused" might sometimes sound less formal. Consider rephrasing for a smoother flow, such as "The event caused...".

What's the difference between "it caused" and "it affected"?

"It caused" implies a direct causal relationship, where one thing directly leads to another. "It affected" suggests an influence or impact, which may not be a direct cause. For example, "The policy change it caused a decrease in sales" versus "The policy change it affected employee morale."