this can cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'this can cause' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the potential consequences of something. Example: Eating unhealthy food on a regular basis can cause health problems.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This can cause burns.

WikiHow

This can cause the color to fade.

WikiHow

This can cause conflict.

The New York Times

This can cause problems.

The New York Times

This can cause confusion.

The New York Times

This can cause anomalies, however.

The Economist

This can cause emotional confusion.

The New York Times

This can cause muscle weakness and pain.

The Economist

This can cause unnecessary tension and conflict.

Forbes

This can cause toothaches.

Huffington Post

This can cause infections.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes placing the cause after the effect. For example, instead of saying "This can cause problems", try "Problems can arise from this".

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "This can cause". Doing so can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Instead, use synonyms or rephrase your sentences for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this can cause" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement to its potential consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. The phrase introduces the effect of a specific action or situation, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

56%

News & Media

42%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this can cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a potential causal relationship. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from WikiHow to news articles, though it's most prevalent in general reference and media sources. The phrase functions to inform readers of potential consequences, with its register typically being neutral. When using "this can cause", ensure the connection between cause and effect is clear to enhance understanding and avoid overuse to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this may result in

Substitutes "can cause" with "may result in", implying a possibility rather than a certainty.

this could lead to

Replaces "can cause" with "could lead to", suggesting a potential outcome.

this might produce

Employs "might produce" instead of "can cause", indicating a possible consequence.

this has the potential to create

Uses a more formal tone by saying "has the potential to create" instead of "can cause".

this is liable to generate

Replaces "can cause" with "is liable to generate", implying a tendency towards a specific result.

this tends to provoke

Employs "tends to provoke" in place of "can cause", suggesting a habitual or likely reaction.

this often triggers

Replaces "can cause" with "often triggers", implying a specific initiating action.

this contributes to

Substitutes "can cause" with "contributes to", indicating a partial causal effect.

this plays a role in

Uses "plays a role in" instead of "can cause", suggesting an influence rather than a direct causation.

this is conducive to

Replaces "can cause" with "is conducive to", implying a favorable condition for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this can cause" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "this may result in", "this could lead to", or "this has the potential to create".

What are some alternatives to "this can cause" that imply a weaker connection?

If you want to suggest a less direct causal relationship, consider using phrases like "this contributes to" or "this plays a role in".

Is it always necessary to explicitly state the cause and effect when using "this can cause"?

While it's generally best to be explicit, the context might sometimes make the causal relationship clear. However, clarity is usually preferred to avoid ambiguity.

How does "this can cause" differ from "this will cause"?

"This can cause" implies a possibility, while "this will cause" suggests a certainty. Use "this can cause" when the outcome is not guaranteed. In other words, "this will cause" has a higher degree of confidence.