liable to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is likely to result in a particular effect or outcome, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The chemicals used in the experiment are liable to cause harmful reactions if not handled properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's liable to cause some confusion.

The New Yorker

They are also liable to cause structural damage.

The Guardian - Money

She goes on: "They're liable to cause panic.

The Guardian

The IET believes this is liable to cause "damage" to the UK economy.

The Guardian

These drugs are liable to cause addiction, and overdosage may have dangerous cardiovascular and psychological effects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are also liable to cause side effects such as nausea and skin rashes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It thus appeared that because of these circumstances, physicians frequently used AGIs, which are less liable to induce hypoglycaemia and which cause minimal adverse events.

BMJ Open

In all, 11 of the 13 types in men that the Agency classed as liable to be caused by smoking were significantly related to smoking and the findings for the other two, which caused only few deaths, suggested they might be.

British Journal of Cancer

However, owing to the lack of through-the-thickness reinforcement, structures made from these materials are highly liable to failures caused by delamination.

Delamination Behaviour of Composites

So important does Blaser regard this strange, paradoxical symbiont that he has proposed not one but two unconventional therapeutic interventions: inoculate children with H. pylori to give them the benefit of its services early in life, and then exterminate it with antibiotics at age 40, when it is liable to begin causing trouble.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nevertheless, genotyping of hDNA samples is liable to errors caused by DNA damage and allelic dropout.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "liable to cause", consider the strength of the potential effect. If the outcome is highly certain, stronger phrases like "will cause" or "is certain to cause" may be more appropriate. If the outcome is remote, alternatives such as "could potentially cause" may be a better fit.

Common error

Avoid using "liable to cause" when the potential outcome is purely speculative or based on weak evidence. Using it in such cases can exaggerate the perceived risk and undermine your credibility. Focus on verifiable likelihoods, not remote possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to cause" functions as a verb phrase expressing potential consequence or probability. It connects a subject with a likely outcome, often negative. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "liable to cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating a high probability of a particular outcome, often with negative implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correctness and broad applicability make it a valuable tool in both formal and informal contexts. While primarily found in news, media, and scientific sources, it's crucial to consider the strength of the potential effect and avoid overstating likelihoods. Related phrases include alternatives such as "likely to result in" and "prone to triggering", each offering nuances in meaning. When using "liable to cause", be mindful of conveying accurate risk assessments rather than speculative claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to produce

Focuses on the probability of occurrence, similar to "liable to cause" but with less emphasis on potential negative consequences.

apt to generate

Highlights the tendency or natural inclination to create or bring about a specific outcome.

prone to triggering

Emphasizes a susceptibility or vulnerability to initiating a particular event or reaction.

inclined to bring about

Indicates a leaning or predisposition toward causing a specific result.

tending to give rise to

Suggests a natural or inherent tendency to produce a specific effect or consequence.

susceptible to creating

Focuses on the vulnerability or openness to generating something, often undesirable.

at risk of prompting

Highlights the potential danger or exposure to initiating a particular action or response.

has the potential to elicit

Focuses on the possibility of drawing out or evoking a specific reaction or response.

may give rise to

Indicates a possibility that something could initiate or lead to a particular outcome.

could potentially spark

Emphasizes the chance of igniting or setting off a specific event or reaction.

FAQs

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

Use "liable to cause" to indicate a high probability of something negative occurring as a result of a particular action or situation. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations is "liable to cause" accidents."

What are some alternatives to "liable to cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "likely to result in", "apt to generate", or "prone to triggering" as alternatives to "liable to cause".

Is it correct to say "liable to cause" or should I use "likely to cause"?

Both "liable to cause" and "likely to cause" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. However, "liable to cause" often carries a stronger connotation of potential negative consequences, while "likely to cause" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "liable to cause" and "certain to cause"?

"Liable to cause" implies a high probability of an event occurring, while "certain to cause" suggests that the event is guaranteed to happen. "Certain to cause" is a stronger assertion than ""liable to cause"".