may cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may cause" is correct in written English.
It is a modal verb phrase that is used to suggest a likely outcome or consequence. For example, "Continued exposure to loud noise may cause hearing loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it may cause headaches.

The Economist

And it may cause more.

The New York Times

In rare cases it may cause seizures.

The New York Times

Even then appeals may cause delays.

The Economist

Warning: may cause epiphany!

Vice

May cause shock (algid malaria).

Wikipedia

This may cause injury.

WikiHow

This may cause bleeding.

WikiHow

This may cause constipation.

WikiHow

This may cause choking.

WikiHow

This may cause glitches.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may cause", clearly state what action or condition could lead to the stated result. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "may cause" when the effect is almost certain. In such cases, stronger verbs like "will cause" or "results in" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may cause" functions as a causal connector, indicating a potential relationship between two events or conditions. It suggests a possibility rather than a certainty, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

41%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may cause" is a versatile phrase used to express potential causation without implying certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in wikis and news media, the phrase serves to inform about possible consequences across various contexts. While grammatically sound and frequently used, it's important to avoid overstating certainty and to clearly specify the potential cause-and-effect relationship. Alternatives like "could lead to" or "might result in" can offer nuanced expressions of possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can result in

Emphasizes the potential consequence or outcome.

might lead to

Suggests a possibility of something happening as a consequence.

could trigger

Implies a starting action that initiates a series of events.

potentially induce

Suggests a formal tone emphasizing the possibility of causing something.

has the potential to create

Expresses the inherent possibility of bringing something into existence.

is likely to provoke

Focuses on a reaction or response that is expected to occur.

carries the risk of

Highlights the element of danger or uncertainty involved.

presents a chance of

Underlines the opportunity or possibility of a specific outcome.

can give rise to

Indicates the origin or start of something as a result.

is apt to bring about

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination toward a particular result.

FAQs

How do I use "may cause" in a sentence?

Use "may cause" to indicate a potential, but not definite, consequence. For example, "This medication "may cause drowsiness"".

What can I say instead of "may cause"?

Alternatives include "could lead to", "might result in", or "can trigger", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "may cause" or "will cause"?

"May cause" suggests a possibility, while "will cause" indicates certainty. Choose based on the likelihood of the outcome. For example, "Smoking "may cause cancer"" indicates a risk, not a certainty.

What's the difference between "may cause" and "can cause"?

"May cause" implies a lower probability than "can cause". "Can cause" suggests the possibility exists, while "may cause" suggests it's one of several possibilities. For instance, "Stress "can cause headaches"", while excessive screen time "may cause eye strain".