precipitate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "precipitate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean to cause or bring about (something) suddenly or unexpectedly, or to cause (a substance) to separate out from a solution in the form of small particles. Example sentence: His sudden resignation precipitated chaos in the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precipitate", consider the context and ensure that it accurately conveys the idea of something being brought about suddenly or unexpectedly. Be mindful of the potential negative connotations, as it often implies hastening an undesirable outcome.

Common error

While "precipitate" is a valid word, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Use synonyms like "trigger" or "initiate" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precipitate" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of causing something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly. Ludwig AI shows it is typically used to describe a chain of events where one action quickly leads to another.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precipitate" functions as a transitive verb that means to cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct but rare in usage, based on the absence of examples in the search data. It typically appears in formal and scientific contexts and maintains a neutral register. When writing, remember to use "precipitate" to describe swift or unexpected causal relationships and consider synonyms to prevent overuse. The word "precipitate" should accurately reflect the intended meaning in academic and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger

Focuses on initiating a specific event or reaction.

spark

Implies a sudden beginning or onset, often of something energetic or noticeable.

instigate

Highlights the act of initiating or stirring up something, often with a negative connotation.

bring about

A general term for causing something to happen.

give rise to

Emphasizes the creation or emergence of something as a result.

set off

Similar to trigger, but can also imply a chain reaction.

accelerate

Focuses on speeding up the occurrence of an event.

hasten

Implies making something happen sooner than it otherwise would.

prompt

Suggests directly causing or encouraging an action or response.

cause

A direct and general term indicating the reason why something happens.

FAQs

How can I use "precipitate" in a sentence?

You can use "precipitate" to mean to cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly. For instance, "The economic crisis "precipitated a wave of job losses"".

What words can I use instead of "precipitate"?

Alternatives to "precipitate" include "trigger", "spark", "instigate", and "bring about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "precipitate" and "cause"?

"Precipitate" implies a sudden or unexpected causation, whereas "cause" is a more general term for something that produces an effect. "Precipitate" often suggests a hastening of events, particularly negative ones.

Is it correct to say "precipitate" when referring to a gradual change?

No, "precipitate" is generally not used to describe gradual changes. It is more appropriate for sudden or abrupt occurrences. Using "lead to" or "contribute to" would be better for gradual changes.