more likely to cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more likely to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the probability or tendency of one thing to result in another, often in a comparative context. Example: "Certain chemicals are more likely to cause allergic reactions than others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chemical sunscreens, however, are more likely to cause allergic reactions.

The Guardian

(They are also more likely to cause paper cuts).

The New Yorker

But it was more likely to cause blood clots.

The New York Times - Health

What is more likely to cause protest is the price of it all.

The Guardian - Sport

Never has a mere rhythm been more likely to cause widespread consternation.

The Guardian - Music

But sexuality is always there the more assiduously repressed, the more likely to cause psychic mayhem.

The New Yorker

Chemically, vital wheat gluten is identical to regular gluten, and no more likely to cause harm.

The New Yorker

If you're manipulating your internal organs, you're more likely to cause damage than improve their function.

The Guardian

But sexuality is always there — the more assiduously repressed, the more likely to cause psychic mayhem.

The New Yorker

"Despite tight margins, extreme weather is far more likely to cause any household disconnections than insufficient generating capacity".

The Guardian

Preliminary data out of Norway, he said, suggested that the new strain was more likely to cause pneumonia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing potential causes, use "more likely to cause" to clearly indicate the higher probability of one factor over another. For example: "Lack of sleep is more likely to cause irritability than hunger."

Common error

Avoid using "more likely to cause" in situations where the causality is obvious or statistically insignificant. Instead, opt for stronger, more definitive language when the evidence supports it, or a more nuanced comparison if the difference is marginal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more likely to cause" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a higher probability of a particular action leading to a specific outcome. It is used to weigh the likelihood of different factors contributing to a result. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more likely to cause" is a versatile phrase used to compare the probability of different factors leading to a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While "more likely to cause" is generally considered acceptable, it's crucial to use it judiciously. It's important to be mindful of the specific context and audience when using the phrase, opting for stronger language when the evidence supports a more definitive statement. Remember that overuse can dilute its impact, and clarity should always be the priority. Ultimately, understanding its proper function and avoiding common pitfalls will help you wield "more likely to cause" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more prone to trigger

Replaces "likely" with "prone" and "cause" with "trigger", implying a susceptibility to initiating an event.

more apt to generate

Substitutes "likely" with "apt" and "cause" with "generate", suggesting a natural tendency to produce something.

higher risk of leading to

Replaces "likely to cause" with "higher risk of leading to", emphasizing the potential danger and direction of the outcome.

greater chance of resulting in

Uses "greater chance of resulting in" to convey a higher probability of a specific consequence.

increased probability of producing

Replaces the core phrase with a more formal and statistical expression.

more liable to provoke

Employs "liable" and "provoke" to suggest a tendency to incite or bring about a particular action or reaction.

more susceptible to inducing

Highlights vulnerability and the act of persuading or bringing about a certain condition.

more predisposed to creating

Indicates an inherent inclination or tendency toward the creation of something.

more inclined to spark

Uses "inclined" and "spark" to suggest a tendency to ignite or initiate an event or situation.

elevated likelihood of precipitating

Employs a more formal and forceful term, "precipitating", to denote causing something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.

FAQs

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

Use "more likely to cause" to compare the probabilities of different factors leading to a particular outcome. For example: "Smoking is "more likely to cause" lung cancer than secondhand smoke."

What are some alternatives to "more likely to cause"?

You can use phrases like "more prone to trigger", "higher risk of leading to", or "greater chance of resulting in" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "more likely to cause" or "more likely to result in"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different focuses. "More likely to cause" emphasizes the action of causing something, while "more likely to result in" emphasizes the outcome. The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

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

"Likely to cause" indicates a general probability, while "more likely to cause" is comparative, indicating a higher probability relative to something else. For example, 'Stress is likely to cause headaches,' versus 'Stress is "more likely to cause" headaches than lack of sleep.'