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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
materials cause
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "materials cause" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the role of materials in causing an effect or outcome, but it needs additional context to be meaningful. Example: "The materials cause significant changes in the final product's quality."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
22 human-written examples
Charged particles, such as alpha particles and electrons from radioactive materials, cause extensive ionization along their paths.
Encyclopedias
According to the National Fire Protection Agency, children playing with matches or other flammable materials cause more than 40,000 fires a year.
News & Media
What harm do these radioactive materials cause?
News & Media
In addition, for example, root canal filling materials cause artefacts.
Science
These materials cause useful changes in plant growth bed which leads to increase plant growth.
These materials cause further loss in bone density and eventually the replacement needs to be replaced.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
38 human-written examples
"Inhaling these toxic materials causes an inflammatory reaction in your body," explains Dr Anoop Shah, a cardiologist at the University of Edinburgh.
News & Media
Differences in pore structure of the two materials caused the difference in adsorption properties.
Science
Contact between blood and foreign materials causes blood cell activation and adhesion, followed by blood coagulation.
Science
All tested gutta-percha materials caused cytotoxic reactions in varying extents.
Science
A useful construction material is produced while some waste materials causing environmental problems are warded off.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Ensure the subject-verb agreement in your sentences is correct. For example, "the material causes" is grammatically sound when referring to a single material.
Common error
Avoid using the plural noun "materials" with the singular verb "cause". Instead, use "materials cause" only when 'materials' acts as a modifier or choose a different verb conjugation (e.g. "materials lead to").
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "materials cause" attempts to describe a relationship where certain materials are responsible for bringing about a particular effect or outcome. However, the phrase is grammatically awkward and requires restructuring for clarity. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct and lacks clarity.
Frequent in
Science
60%
News & Media
24%
Encyclopedias
8%
Less common in
Wiki
4%
Formal & Business
2%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "materials cause" appears in various contexts, especially in science, news, and encyclopedic sources (as confirmed by Ludwig), it is considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. It attempts to explain how materials lead to certain outcomes, yet it is better to use alternatives such as "materials lead to", "materials result in", or "materials produce" for more precise and grammatically sound communication. The suggestion from Ludwig is to rephrase for clarity to make sure that the cause-and-effect relationship is clearly established.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
materials lead to
Replaces "cause" with "lead to", indicating a result or outcome.
materials result in
Substitutes "cause" with "result in", emphasizing the consequence of using certain materials.
materials produce
Changes "cause" to "produce", highlighting the creation of something by the materials.
materials generate
Uses "generate" instead of "cause", suggesting the materials create or bring about something.
materials trigger
Replaces "cause" with "trigger", indicating the materials initiate a process or reaction.
materials induce
Substitutes "cause" with "induce", suggesting the materials bring about a specific condition or state.
materials are responsible for
Replaces "cause" with "are responsible for", indicating accountability or agency.
materials contribute to
Changes "cause" to "contribute to", highlighting a partial or shared effect.
materials give rise to
Uses "give rise to" instead of "cause", suggesting the materials originate a new phenomenon.
materials have an impact on
Replaces "cause" with "have an impact on", focusing on the influence or effect of the materials.
FAQs
What are some alternative ways to express that materials have an effect?
Instead of saying "materials cause", you can use phrases like "materials lead to", "materials result in", or "materials produce" depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Is it grammatically correct to say "materials cause"?
The phrase "materials cause" is grammatically questionable. It's better to use a phrase that clearly indicates the relationship between the materials and their effect, such as "materials lead to" or "materials produce".
How can I use "materials cause" in a sentence correctly?
It's generally recommended to avoid the phrase "materials cause" for clearer and grammatically sound alternatives. Consider restructuring your sentence using phrases like "the materials' properties cause…" or "the interaction of materials causes…"
What's the difference between "materials cause" and "materials lead to"?
"Materials cause" is not grammatically sound on its own, while "materials lead to" is a grammatically correct phrase. "Materials lead to" expresses a direct relationship where the materials result in a specific outcome.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested