that caused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that caused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the reason or source of an effect or outcome in a sentence. Example: "The heavy rain that caused the flooding surprised everyone in the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That caused an uproar.

The Economist

That caused uproar.

The Economist

That caused bitter consternation.

The Economist

That caused a stink.

The Economist

That caused the problem".

Independent

"That caused an outrage," she told me.

The New Yorker

That caused a flood of bond sales.

The New York Times

That caused little talk and less action.

The New York Times

"That caused them to pretty much dissipate".

The New Yorker

That caused Mr. Bopp to reverse course.

The New York Times

"That caused a lot of controversy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that caused", ensure that the relationship between the cause and effect is clear and direct to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that caused" when the relationship between events is indirect or tenuous. Use phrases like "that contributed to" or "that was associated with" instead to reflect the weaker connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that caused" functions as a relative clause introducing the reason or source behind a particular event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It modifies a noun by providing causal information, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that caused" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate direct causation between events or situations. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is acceptable in written English. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When employing "that caused", ensure a clear and direct link between cause and effect. Alternatives such as "that led to" or "that resulted in" can provide nuanced variations. Avoid using it for indirect relationships to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that led to

Emphasizes the sequential progression from one event to another, implying causation.

that resulted in

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

that produced

Focuses on the creation or generation of a specific result.

that brought about

Suggests a more active role in initiating or instigating the outcome.

that triggered

Implies a sudden or forceful initiation of a series of events.

that generated

Similar to 'that produced', but often used in the context of abstract results like feelings or ideas.

that gave rise to

Indicates the origin or beginning of something as a result of a prior action.

that contributed to

Suggests that the action was one of several factors influencing the outcome.

that was responsible for

Assigns accountability or blame for a specific result.

that occasioned

Implies that the action provided the opportunity or reason for the result.

FAQs

How can I use "that caused" in a sentence?

Use "that caused" to clearly link an action, event, or condition to its direct consequence. For example: "The heavy rain "that caused" the flooding surprised everyone in the town."

What are some alternatives to "that caused"?

You can use alternatives like "that led to", "that resulted in", or "that brought about" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "that caused" to show causation?

No, simpler phrasing can often be more effective. Instead of "the policy "that caused" the decline", you could say "the policy led to a decline".

What's the difference between "that caused" and "because of"?

"That caused" is typically used within a clause to connect a cause and effect, while "because of" often introduces a phrase explaining the reason for something. For example, "The accident "that caused" the delay" vs. "The delay was because of the accident".