it is capable of causing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is capable of causing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential effects or consequences of an action, event, or object. Example: "The chemical is hazardous because it is capable of causing severe health issues if ingested."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is capable of causing serious environmental and health problems such as lung, prostate, renal cancers and the other disorders.

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy

It is capable of causing destructive pneumonias and, most recently, appears to have acquired the ability to spread from person to person.

The Guardian

"However, we have advised broadcasters this doesn't mean the use of the word is acceptable in any programme in any context and that it is capable of causing significant offence in certain contexts," the spokesperson said.

Independent

However, in the leaflet I was given which came with the MMR vaccine given to my son, the manufacturers state that it is capable of causing meningitis/encephalitis; profound deafness; chronic arthritis; gradual mental deterioration; Guillam Barre Syndrome; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis; fits/epilepsy.

The Guardian

Only 1 serotype is known, and it is capable of causing encephalitis and myocarditis in various animals (11, 12 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This controversy lies in whether nasal obstruction leads to oral breathing or not and, especially, in whether it is capable of causing changes in dentofacial development.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I couldn't think of anything good I could use it for, only the harm it was capable of causing.

The New Yorker

It was capable of causing repopulation of virtually all types of the animals' blood cells after they had been destroyed by massive radiation or the equivalent.

The New York Times - Science

But unlike any other malware before it, it was capable of causing real-world, physical damage.

Vice

In general V. salvadorii avoids human contact, but its bite is capable of causing infection, like the Komodo dragon's.

Wikipedia

We do point out that, rare as it is, even LCMV is capable of causing HF disease in humans [ 10].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is capable of causing", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify exactly what "it" refers to and what it is capable of causing.

Common error

Avoid using "it is capable of causing" when the connection is speculative or unproven. Instead, use phrases like "it may contribute to" or "it is thought to potentially cause" to reflect uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is capable of causing" functions as a descriptor of potential outcomes or effects. As shown in Ludwig, it attributes a specific capability to a subject, indicating that it possesses the inherent ability to initiate or produce a certain result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is capable of causing" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote the potential for something to produce a particular result. As indicated by Ludwig, it is commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts and serves the purpose of informing about potential consequences. While relatively uncommon, effective usage involves ensuring clear subject-object relationships and avoiding overstatements. Alternatives such as "it can lead to" or "it has the potential to cause" offer similar meanings in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has the potential to cause

Emphasizes the inherent possibility of something happening.

it is able to cause

A more direct and simple way of expressing capability.

it may result in

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of an action or event.

it can lead to

Replaces "capable of" with a simpler modal verb, indicating a potential outcome.

it is liable to cause

Suggests a higher probability of causing something.

it is known to cause

Indicates that there is established knowledge or evidence of something causing something.

it is prone to causing

Indicates a natural tendency or inclination to cause something.

it is apt to cause

Similar to "prone to", suggesting a tendency or likelihood.

it is subject to causing

Implies that something is vulnerable or exposed to causing something.

it can give rise to

Highlights the origin or creation of something as a result.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is capable of causing"?

You can use alternatives like "it can lead to", "it has the potential to cause", or "it may result in" depending on the context.

How do I use "it is capable of causing" in a sentence?

Use "it is capable of causing" to describe something that has the ability or potential to produce a particular effect or outcome. For example: "The virus is capable of causing serious illness."

Is it better to say "it is capable of causing" or "it causes"?

"It is capable of causing" implies a potential or ability, whereas "it causes" asserts a direct and confirmed causal relationship. Use the former when discussing possibilities and the latter when describing established facts.

What's the difference between "it is capable of causing" and "it is likely to cause"?

"It is capable of causing" suggests the inherent ability to cause something, while "it is likely to cause" suggests a high probability or expectation of causing something. Likelihood implies a greater degree of certainty than capability.