things causing it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things causing it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to various factors or elements that contribute to a particular outcome or situation. For example, "There are several things causing it to malfunction." Alternative expressions include "factors contributing to it," "elements leading to it," and "causes of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Northampton boss Chris Wilder said "a few things" caused it to fall through, but expects more offers to come in January.

BBC

I try not to read them, but my mom, she's a number one gossiper, and she calls me up and says, "Oh, this guy said this about you, and what should we do to get our vengeance," and I'm just like, "Don't tell me these things," cause it does hurt my feelings and you can't prevent it from hurting you.

Vice

If the object of their desire cannot be divided, the instinctively human way of deciding possession is to wrestle over the thing, causing it perhaps to be ruined and certainly resulting in grave injury on both sides.

The New York Times

"I'm sick of that same old Jets thing cause it's not the same old Jets," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The wall rotated silently, and a chunk that lowers to form a staging platform also worked, despite some moments when the dancers on top of the thing caused it to tremble.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm for leaving the EU through a referendum so we can control our immigration, because immigration at the moment is a bad thing cause it's got out of control," he said.

BBC

No one thing caused it, he said -- citing reductions in gym class, larger soda sizes and lack of sidewalks -- and no one thing will cure it.

Los Angeles Times

They want to stop climate change, but they also want all the things that are causing it".

The Guardian

One obvious way to alleviate this problem is to tax the things that are causing it: when governments are having to strengthen their ambulances to cope with heavier patients, it is time for a levy on cheeseburgers.

The Economist

Negative reinforcement simply means taking away something bad when a horse does something good, teaching it that whenever it behaves the way we want it to, the thing that is causing it discomfort or uneasiness will be removed.

WikiHow

We might attempt to "fix" the second thing, but if we don't fix the first thing, the thing that caused it to get out of balance in the first place, it will just come back again.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things causing it", ensure that the "it" is clearly defined and understood within the context. Ambiguity can arise if the referent is not immediately apparent to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "things causing it" when the "it" refers to a broad or abstract concept. Instead, specify the noun to which "it" refers for clarity. For instance, instead of "things causing it", write "factors causing the decline in sales".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things causing it" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object complement, identifying multiple factors responsible for a particular outcome. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct. Without examples, it's understood as a general reference to causal agents.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things causing it" is grammatically correct but lacks specific examples in the provided data. It functions to identify multiple factors contributing to a situation, but may be considered vague in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. For clearer and more impactful writing, consider replacing it with more precise alternatives like "factors contributing to it" or "causes of it", especially in academic or professional settings. Its absence in authoritative sources suggests a preference for more specific phrasing in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causes of it

A more concise and direct way of expressing the same concept, using the noun "causes".

factors contributing to it

Replaces "things" with "factors" and uses the verb "contributing" to emphasize the contributing aspect of the causes.

influencing factors

Highlights the "influencing" aspect, suggesting that these factors have an impact but may not be the sole cause.

elements leading to it

Substitutes "things" with "elements" and uses "leading to" to indicate the progression towards the outcome.

reasons for it

Focuses specifically on the "reasons" behind the outcome, making it more direct.

underlying factors

Highlights the "underlying" nature of the causes, suggesting they might not be immediately obvious.

root causes

Emphasizes the fundamental and primary causes, going to the origin of the issue.

drivers behind it

Uses "drivers" metaphorically to suggest the forces that propel the outcome.

the reason why

Focuses on explaining the "reason why" something occurred, changing the focus to explanation.

antecedents to it

A more formal way of referring to the preceding events or conditions that led to the outcome.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "things causing it" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "factors contributing to it", "elements leading to it", or "causes of it" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How can I make my writing more precise when discussing "things causing it"?

To improve precision, identify the specific "things" involved and replace the pronoun "it" with the actual subject or phenomenon you are discussing. For example, instead of "things causing it", try "the economic policies causing the recession".

Is "things causing it" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "things causing it" can sound informal or vague. For formal writing, consider using more specific and sophisticated phrasing, such as "factors contributing to the phenomenon" or "underlying causes of the issue".

What's the difference between "things causing it" and "reasons for it"?

"Things causing it" is a broader term referring to various factors, while "reasons for it" specifically implies a logical or explanatory basis. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting general influences or specific justifications.