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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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so not to cause

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "so not to cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is being done to prevent a certain result from occurring. For example, "The company increased safety precautions so not to cause any further accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Burns, feeling shocked and humiliated at being asked to conceal her 12-week-old daughter, tweeted a photograph of the incident, saying: "Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while breastfeeding so not to cause offence at Claridge's".

"Shame on you Claridge's: asked to cover up while #breastfeeding so not to cause offence," tweeted Zoe Crawford, while @berrykirei said: "Something human & natural made 2 look shameful, apology not good enough".

Many are guilty of just sticking it out so not to cause a fuss but it's surprisingly easy to change course in first year and it's much easier to realise this sooner than later.

News & Media

Independent

Louise Burns tweeted: "Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while breastfeeding so not to cause offence at Claridge's".

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Luella Parsons said Chaplin had been persuaded to tone down his original idea so as not to cause further presecution of German Jews.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But he added that Israel was "taking appropriate steps" in preparation and that it was doing so "judiciously and responsibly" so as not to cause panic or any escalation of the tensions.

News & Media

The New York Times

Participants choosing to review the transcripts will be asked to do so within a 10-day period so as not to cause delays to the analysis and completion of the project.

Science

BMJ Open

"You bought the cards at separate kiosks so as not to cause suspicion," Mr. Kannaourides said, "so you could have contact with Hezbollah to prepare a strike against Israelis in Cyprus".

News & Media

The New York Times

Be careful not to use too much pressure so as not to cause discomfort, but apply enough pressure so as not to tickle the soles.

Percy returned with promises of support for the Catholics, and Northumberland believed that James would go so far as to allow Mass in private houses, so as not to cause public offence.

This has been kept from us so as not to cause undue alarm.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "so not to cause", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what action is being taken to prevent a specific negative outcome. This makes the purpose of the action more explicit and understandable.

Common error

Avoid double negatives when using "so not to cause". Ensure that the intended meaning is to prevent something, not to create a situation where something is required to happen. Clear and concise phrasing enhances understanding.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so not to cause" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, explaining the reason or intention behind an action. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates that something is done with the specific goal of preventing a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so not to cause" is a grammatically correct purpose connector used to express the intention of preventing a specific outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. While the phrase is primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various types of communication. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "in order to avoid causing" or "so as to prevent causing" may be preferred. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in expressing the intention to prevent the stated outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "so not to cause" in a sentence?

The phrase "so not to cause" is used to indicate the reason for taking a particular action is to prevent something from happening. For example, "The company increased safety precautions so not to cause any further accidents."

What are some alternatives to using "so not to cause"?

You can use alternatives such as "in order to avoid causing", "so as to prevent causing", or "to prevent from causing" depending on the context.

Is "so not to cause" grammatically correct?

Yes, "so not to cause" is grammatically correct. It functions as a purpose connector, indicating that an action is taken to prevent a particular outcome.

What is the level of formality of the expression "so not to cause"?

The expression "so not to cause" can be used in various contexts, but is mostly considered to be neutral. For more formal situations, "in order to avoid causing" or "so as to prevent causing" might be more appropriate.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: