likely to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to cause" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a high probability of occurring or producing a certain result. For example, "The mismanagement of resources is likely to cause financial hardship in the near future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like Frankenstein, they are likely to cause trouble.

Huffington Post

Likely to cause trouble?

The New York Times - Arts

which is likely to cause confusion..

Harvard University

Kenyatta's assertion is likely to cause puzzlement.

The Guardian

The revelation is likely to cause controversy.

The Guardian - Business

Least likely to: Cause duodenal infections.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Cause a heatwave.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Cause a riot.

The Guardian - Music

It's simply too likely to cause harm.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which antibiotics are more likely to cause diarrhea?

Harvard University

What cancers are most likely to cause this?

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to cause", ensure that the subject and potential consequence are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This is likely to cause problems", specify what "this" refers to and what kind of problems are anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to cause" when the outcome is merely a possibility or speculation without substantial evidence. Overstating certainty can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to cause" functions as a predictor of potential outcomes. It highlights a probable connection between an action or situation and its foreseeable result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for indicating a high chance of something occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

42%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to cause" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for indicating a high probability of a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it serves to inform or warn about potential consequences. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "prone to producing" or "liable to result in" can add nuance, but "likely to cause" remains a reliable and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apt to generate

Replaces "cause" with "generate", emphasizing the creation or production of something.

prone to producing

Substitutes "likely" with "prone", suggesting a natural tendency or inclination toward a certain outcome.

liable to result in

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome of an action, using "liable" to denote probability.

tends to bring about

Focuses on the action of causing something, using "tends" to indicate a habitual or predictable result.

inclined to give rise to

Highlights the emergence or beginning of something, using "inclined" to suggest a predisposition.

has the potential to trigger

Emphasizes the initiating action that could lead to a certain effect, particularly a sudden or forceful one.

may well spark

Uses "spark" to emphasize initiation, with "may well" indicating a strong possibility.

could potentially lead to

Highlights the possibility of progression or direction toward a specific outcome.

is anticipated to create

Focuses on expected outcomes, using "anticipated" to suggest prior knowledge or prediction.

is expected to engender

Implies a more formal or causative creation of a result, using "engender" to denote bringing something into existence.

FAQs

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

Use "likely to cause" to indicate a high probability of something resulting from a particular action or situation. For instance, "Neglecting regular maintenance is "likely to cause" equipment failure".

What are some alternatives to "likely to cause"?

You can use alternatives like "prone to producing", "liable to result in", or "tends to bring about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "likely to cause" or "likely to be causing"?

"Likely to cause" is generally preferred for expressing a future possibility. "Likely to be causing" suggests an ongoing action in the future, which may be appropriate in specific contexts but is less common. Consider, "The storm is "likely to cause" flooding" versus "The storm is likely to be causing disruptions all day".

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

"Likely to cause" indicates a high probability but not absolute certainty, whereas "certain to cause" suggests an inevitable outcome. The choice depends on the degree of assurance you want to convey.