that causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that causes" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The loud noises from the construction site next door are the reason that causes me to lose focus while working.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That causes horrible side effects.

The Economist

This ailment was one that causes dizziness.

The New Yorker

What is it that causes uncoupling?

The New Yorker

It's not just cash that causes problems.

The Guardian - Books

H.I.V. is the virus that causes AIDS.

The New York Times

that causes strife on a grander scale….

Stanford University

And that causes a lot of tension.

Harvard Business Review

In my view it's the gulf that causes divorce, not divorce that causes the gulf.

The New York Times - Books

The virus that causes shingles, the varicella-zoster virus, is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Harvard University

Twenty had the mutation that causes Alzheimer's.

The New York Times - Health

"Roseana Sarney is the novelty that causes the least discomfort".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "resulting in" or "leading to" to avoid repetition of "that causes".

Common error

Be specific about what "that causes" refers to. Vague references can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Instead of "Poor planning that causes problems", try "Poor planning that causes project delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that causes" functions as a relative clause introducing a description of the cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The word "that" introduces the clause, while "causes" indicates the action producing a particular result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that causes" is a grammatically correct and versatile relative clause used to indicate a direct causal relationship between events or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent presence across diverse sources like The New York Times, academic papers, and even informal wikis underscores its utility. While it's primarily found in News & Media and Academic contexts, remember to ensure a clear and direct connection between cause and effect to avoid ambiguity, and consider varying your phrasing with alternatives such as "which leads to" or "resulting in" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which leads to

Focuses on the resulting effect as a consequence, changing the emphasis slightly.

resulting in

Emphasizes the outcome or effect of a particular action or event.

thereby producing

Highlights the immediate and direct result of an action.

with the effect of

Formally states the consequence or impact of something.

which generates

Highlights the creation or production of something as a direct result.

contributing to

Suggests a partial cause or influence on the final outcome.

is responsible for

Assigns accountability for a specific result or effect.

giving rise to

Emphasizes the origin or start of a new condition or event.

bringing about

Focuses on the action of initiating or causing something to occur.

prompting

Highlights the action of initiating or causing something to occur.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that causes" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "which results in", "thereby producing", or "with the effect of". These alternatives offer a more sophisticated and less direct way to express causation than "that causes".

What's a simple substitute for the phrase "that causes"?

Alternatives such as "leads to" or "results in" are simpler ways to express the same relationship. For example, "stress "leads to" headaches" instead of "stress that causes headaches".

How to use "that causes" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that "that causes" directly connects a clear cause and effect. For example, "The heavy rain that causes flooding affected many homes". The phrase should clearly link the rain to the resulting floods.

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

"That causes" is typically used within a relative clause to describe a direct result, while "because of" is used to introduce a reason or explanation. "The accident that causes traffic" versus "Traffic is heavy because of the accident".