that could cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that could cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a potential effect or consequence of an action or situation. Example: "There are several factors that could cause delays in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The activated monocytes produce cytokines that could cause osteoclast activation.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

Michael has a passion for authenticity that could cause problems.

The Guardian

It includes vague and confidential terms that could cause problems.

The New York Times

But there is another point that could cause more tension.

The Guardian

tomorrow that could cause you to withdraw the nomination?

The Washington Post

Should the company delete tweets that could cause problems?

The Washington Post

We also made sure nothing blinked at a frequency that could cause seizures.

Cornell University

You'll discover how to loosen up the three muscles that could cause knee pain.

Harvard University

Incorrect attenuation coefficient may lead to misdiagnosis of structures that could cause potential disaster.

Composites Part B: Engineering

It would be behavior that could cause harm, to herself and others; behavior that could cause repercussions that ripple through the course of a life.

The Washington Post

A key challenge is critical heat-flux that could cause device damage due to dryout.

Control Engineering Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "cause" if the situation warrants, such as "trigger", "induce", or "provoke" to add precision and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that could cause" in excessively vague or general statements. Always specify what "that" refers to and what the potential consequences are to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that could cause" functions as a relative clause introducing a potential consequence or effect. It connects a preceding noun or pronoun to a possible outcome, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. Ludwig examples show its widespread use in diverse contexts to express potential results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that could cause" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a potential causal relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, making it suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure the connection between cause and effect is clear and consider stronger verbs for impact. By avoiding vague language and understanding the potential for misinterpretation, you can effectively use "that could cause" to communicate potential outcomes with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is likely to lead to

Expresses a high probability of resulting in something, changing 'could cause' to 'is likely to lead to'.

that might trigger

Replaces 'could' with 'might' and 'cause' with 'trigger', suggesting a potential instigation.

that may give rise to

Replaces 'could cause' with 'may give rise to', indicating origination or initiation.

that may induce

Substitutes 'could' with 'may' and 'cause' with 'induce', implying a formal or scientific effect.

that can generate

Uses 'can' instead of 'could', and 'generate' instead of 'cause', indicating a capacity to produce something.

that would provoke

Replaces 'could' with 'would' and 'cause' with 'provoke', implying a reaction or instigation.

that has the potential to create

Expands the phrase to emphasize the potential for creation instead of simply causing something.

that has the capacity to bring about

Focuses on the inherent capacity to initiate an outcome, substituting 'could cause' with 'has the capacity to bring about'.

that is liable to produce

Expresses a probability of production, changing 'could' to 'is liable to' and 'cause' to 'produce'.

with the ability to effect

Focuses on the capability to produce a change, substituting 'that could cause' with 'with the ability to effect'.

FAQs

How can I use "that could cause" in a sentence?

Use "that could cause" to introduce a potential consequence or result of a specific action, event, or situation. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols "that could cause" serious accidents."

What phrases can I use instead of "that could cause"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that may result in", "that might trigger", or "that could lead to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that could cause" or "that will cause"?

"That could cause" indicates a possibility or potential outcome, whereas "that will cause" implies a certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty in your statement.

What's the difference between "that could cause" and "that is causing"?

"That could cause" refers to a future or potential effect, while "that is causing" refers to a current, ongoing effect. The choice depends on whether the effect is hypothetical or already happening.