which can cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"which can cause" is a correct and useful part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are making a statement about something that has results or consequences. For example: Eating a lot of junk food, which can cause health problems, is not recommended.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the unknown footprints which can cause a problem.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Avoid evergreens, which can cause a buildup of creosote.

The New York Times - Health

It undermines balance, too, which can cause life-altering falls.

Harvard University

There is no cure for HIV, which can cause AIDS.

MIT Technology Review

Inflammation can produce blood clots, which can cause heart attacks.

The New York Times - Health

There is a danger of promoting hysteria which can cause the marginalisation of individuals, which can cause its own problems.

The Guardian

The law provides medical care and $150,000 to sick workers exposed to radiation, which can cause cancer, and silica or beryllium, which can cause lung diseases.

The New York Times

Radiation from galactic cosmic rays, which can cause cancer, and from solar flares, which can cause quick death, is a serious issue for long-term space habitation.

MIT Technology Review

Ms. Schepis, 31, was undergoing treatment to counteract the drug, which can cause birth defects.

The New York Times

Pass up those with sorbitol or mannitol, which can cause diarrhea.

The New York Times - Health

It is a time of major physical change, which can cause difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which can cause", ensure the clause it introduces provides essential information and is correctly punctuated with commas to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that can cause" when "which can cause" is more appropriate. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses essential to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which can cause" functions as a relative clause introducing additional, non-essential information about the preceding noun or clause. It specifies a potential consequence or result, providing further detail. This is validated by Ludwig's examples, confirming its role in adding descriptive context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

28%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which can cause" is a versatile phrase used to introduce non-essential information about a potential cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various domains, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific reports. When employing this phrase, remember to use commas to set off the nonrestrictive clause. Common alternatives include phrases like "that may result in" or "that could lead to". This phrase is most often used in neutral registers, making it suitable for wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that may result in

Changes the structure to highlight potential outcomes.

that could lead to

Emphasizes a possible consequence or outcome.

potentially triggering

Focuses on the act of initiating a reaction.

that has the potential to produce

Highlights the inherent capacity for a certain result.

that may bring about

Indicates a bringing forth or creation of a consequence.

with the ability to generate

Focuses on the inherent capability of producing a result.

that contributes to

Emphasizes the role in an effect.

capable of provoking

Focuses on instigating or stimulating a reaction.

with the prospect of creating

Highlights the possibility and act of creation.

that might precipitate

Indicates an hastening or bringing about of a situation.

FAQs

How do I use "which can cause" in a sentence?

Use "which can cause" to add non-essential information about a noun, setting it off with commas. For example: "Smoking, which can cause cancer, is detrimental to your health."

What's the difference between "which can cause" and "that can cause"?

"Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). Use "which can cause", set off by commas, when the clause isn't vital to the sentence's core meaning.

What can I say instead of "which can cause"?

You can use alternatives like "that may result in", "that could lead to", or "potentially triggering" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use commas with "which can cause"?

Yes, when using "which can cause" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause, it should always be set off with commas to correctly indicate that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence's meaning.