significantly cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly cause" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing the impact of one factor on another, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The new policy may significantly cause changes in employee productivity."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The magnitude of initial grasslands and farmlands converted into degraded land seems small; however these can significantly cause an irreversible damage to the soil resources.

Environmental Systems Research

Synthetic dyes significantly cause an environmental pollution because of stability and toxicity and result in severe health risk (Reza et al. 2015).

Applied Water Science

In quadrant 4 (Q4) betokening the early apoptotic cells, there were no positive signals detected either for BLPs or CLPs, declaring that liposomes, whether being biotinylated or not, did not significantly cause the apoptosis of cells.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Endothelial growth inhibition and cytotoxicity were induced by 2-DG at concentrations (0.6 mM) that did not significantly cause cytotoxicity in the non-endothelial tumor or non-tumor cells tested in this study (Fig. 1C).

Plosone

Osteoporosis, as one example, may significantly cause deterioration in the functional outcome.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Many studies have demonstrated that METH, nicotine and microbial factors (e.g., gp41 and gp120) were able to significantly cause functional and structural changes in BBB [ 3, 12– 16].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I don't think the closing of Gourmet has significantly caused the increase of dollars to other titles," Robin Steinberg, senior vice president and director for print investment and activation at MediaVest Worldwide, said via e-mail.

The New York Times

Thus, aquifer recharge from Kan River has reduced significantly causing lower groundwater elevation.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

However, when they are exposed to organic solvents their charge retention drops significantly causing charge degradation.

Polymer

It was found that nanocomposite thermal conductivities were enhanced significantly causing the cooling rate to increase.

Carbon

In mice, MeHg significantly caused increase in plasma insulin as well as C-peptides.

Food and Chemical Toxicology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly cause", ensure that the subject truly has a direct and substantial influence, avoiding its use for minor or indirect effects.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "significantly cause" in formal academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced verbs to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the causal relationships you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly cause" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that something has a notable effect on bringing about a particular result. While acceptable, Ludwig suggests more precise wording could enhance clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significantly cause" indicates a substantial causal relationship, frequently appearing in scientific and news contexts. Although understandable, Ludwig AI notes it can often be improved for greater clarity and impact by using stronger, more specific verbs. Alternatives like "significantly impact" or "greatly influence" may offer a more polished tone. While acceptable, being mindful of overusing it, particularly in academic settings, is advisable. Using stronger verbs to demonstrate a more nuanced understanding of the causal relationship is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significantly impact

Highlights the notable effect on something, broadening from direct causation to general influence.

Considerably affect

Stresses the degree to which something is changed or influenced.

Have a marked effect on

Emphasizes the noticeable or distinct impact something has.

Substantially contribute to

Emphasizes a significant contribution rather than direct causation, implying a less forceful impact.

Significantly alter

Focuses on the transformative change brought about, rather than just the cause.

Have a substantial effect on

Highlights the magnitude of the effect, often in a more general or indirect way.

Greatly influence

Focuses on the power to change something without necessarily being the sole cause.

Largely determine

Suggests a significant influence on the final outcome, often implying a dominant role.

Play a major role in

Indicates importance in contributing to an outcome rather than being the definitive cause.

Potently induce

Implies a strong and effective causation of a specific reaction or state.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "significantly cause" to sound more professional?

Consider using alternatives such as "significantly impact", "substantially contribute to", or "greatly influence" for a more polished tone.

Is "significantly cause" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "significantly cause" can sound awkward. It's often better to use stronger verbs or rephrase to improve clarity and impact, as suggested by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "significantly cause" and "significantly impact"?

"Significantly cause" implies direct causation, while "significantly impact" suggests a notable effect that may not be the sole result of the subject. The latter has a broader scope of influence.

When is it appropriate to use "significantly cause"?

Use "significantly cause" when you want to emphasize a direct and substantial causal relationship. However, consider if a more precise verb like "trigger", "drive", or "generate" would be more effective.