make the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make the cause" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could potentially be used in discussions about advocacy or motivation, but it would need additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "We need to make the cause of climate change more visible to the public."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Schulman said he sensed that the firm could make the cause a signature project.

The New York Times

Perhaps Mr. de Wever's greatest success has been to make the cause of independence respectable.

The New York Times

He then forged paperwork, including consent forms and death certificates, to make the cause of death and age acceptable.

The New York Times

"It is the people who make the sit-ins, not the sit-ins that make the cause".

The New York Times

When he approached the Conservation International Foundation, a Washington group that is a leader in developing innovative ways of protecting the environment, he was worried that his involvement might make the cause appear faddish, said Peter Seligmann, the group's chairman and chief executive.

The New York Times

If I have to die during sex, please don't make the cause of death any of the following: extreme dehydration, a previously undiagnosed allergy to fruit-scented or "massage" oils, dermatological complications arising from severe rug burn, or anything involving the use or misuse of any object best described as "foreign".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If only it could make the causes less so.

Forbes

Laura Bush has made the cause of Burmese democracy her own.

The New Yorker

But his imprisonment made the cause more personal.

The New York Times

Nor has it made the cause of wider home ownership something of talismanic importance.

The Economist

Investigators did not disclose anything that made the cause of the crash clear, but they did mount an intense effort to recover parts of the plane.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make the cause", ensure the context clearly indicates what action is being taken to support the cause. Consider using stronger verbs like "champion" or "promote" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "make the cause" in vague contexts where the specific actions taken to support the cause are unclear. Instead, detail the actual steps or efforts undertaken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make the cause" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as a transitive verb taking "the cause" as its direct object. The examples found by Ludwig suggest that it signifies an effort to turn something into a cause or a priority.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make the cause" is used to describe the act of supporting or prioritizing a specific cause. While grammatically acceptable, it is a relatively uncommon expression, with more descriptive alternatives often preferred. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears mainly in News & Media sources. It's important to ensure clarity in usage, specifying what actions are being taken to support the cause, as noted by Ludwig AI. Stronger verbs like "champion" or "promote" may enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

champion the cause

This alternative implies active support and promotion of the cause.

support the cause

This suggests providing help or resources to the cause.

advance the cause

This means to help the cause progress or succeed.

promote the cause

This indicates raising awareness and support for the cause.

further the cause

This is similar to 'advance the cause', implying helping it move forward.

espouse the cause

This means to adopt or embrace the cause as one's own.

embrace the cause

Similar to 'espouse', but with a slightly stronger emotional connection.

dedicate oneself to the cause

This suggests a significant commitment of time and energy to the cause.

fight for the cause

This implies active and often confrontational support of the cause.

take up the cause

This means to start supporting or advocating for the cause.

FAQs

What does it mean to "make the cause" something?

To "make the cause" something implies taking actions that contribute to or affect a particular cause. It could mean prioritizing it, dedicating resources to it, or significantly influencing its progress.

How can I use "make the cause" in a sentence?

You might say, "The organization aimed to "make the cause" of environmental conservation their signature project this year."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "make the cause"?

Instead of ""make the cause"", you could use phrases like "champion the cause", "support the cause", or "advance the cause" depending on the specific context.

Is "make the cause" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase ""make the cause"" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more descriptive alternatives may be preferred in formal writing.