which would cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"which would cause" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has a potential to produce a certain effect or outcome. For example: "The heavy rain falling outside could cause flooding in low-lying areas, which would cause extensive property damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If we were unable to accept credit cards for payment, we would suffer substantial reductions in revenue, which would cause our business to suffer.

TechCrunch

No procedures or test articles were used which would cause more than momentary pain or distress to the animals.

Plosone

Accordingly, Mn2+ ions which would cause a high responsibility of potential on pH were not formed.

Electrochimica Acta

They examined each and showed the flaw which would cause them to fail.

University of California, Berkeley

Less investment means lower supply, which would cause energy prices to increase.

University of California, Berkeley

Nevertheless, the practical applications are heavily hindered by polysulfide shuttle effect, which would cause fast capacity fading.

Electrochimica Acta

The team is recommending surgery, which would cause him to miss four to six weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Apparently it's the kind of book which would cause a reviewing machine "serious problems".

The Guardian - Books

At the very least, something has been placed at its foundation which would cause the collapse.

The New Yorker

A major challenge is to avoid false alarms, which would cause needless evacuations, disruptions and panic.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It keeps the top lemons from being exposed to the air, which would cause them to turn mushy rather quickly.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which would cause" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing, ensuring the connection between the actions and their consequences is evident.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "Which" is appropriate for clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning. For example, "The policy change, which would cause a budget shortfall, is under review" is correct; using "that" would imply the policy change is specifically causing the budget shortfall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which would cause" functions as a relative clause introducing a consequence or result. According to Ludwig, it correctly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. It elaborates on a preceding statement by explaining a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which would cause" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that explains the result or consequence of a preceding action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various fields like science, news, and academia. When using it, ensure you're establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship and avoid common errors like using "that" instead of "which" in nonrestrictive clauses. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively use this phrase to enhance the clarity and depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would lead to

Replaces "cause" with "lead to", focusing on the consequence rather than the direct action.

that could result in

Substitutes "would cause" with "could result in", introducing a degree of possibility or uncertainty.

that might produce

Uses "produce" instead of "cause", suggesting a more generative or creative outcome.

that may trigger

Employs "trigger" to imply a more sudden or reactive initiation of an event.

which will engender

Replaces "cause" with the more formal "engender", suitable for academic or technical contexts.

that is liable to generate

Expresses a probability of causing something, using "liable to generate" for a formal tone.

with the potential to bring about

Highlights the possibility of a certain outcome, using a more descriptive phrase.

that has the effect of

Focuses on the resulting effect, offering a more descriptive and less direct causal link.

that has implications for

Shifts the focus to the broader consequences or ramifications of an action or event.

what would bring about

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence, implying a more significant or transformative change.

FAQs

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

Use "which would cause" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that explains the result or consequence of a previous action or event. For example, "The new regulations, which would cause significant delays, are being implemented next month."

What are some alternatives to "which would cause"?

You can use alternatives like "that would lead to", "that could result in", or "that might produce" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "which would cause" or "that would cause"?

"Which would cause" is used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information. "That would cause" is for restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence's meaning. Choose based on whether the clause is vital for identifying the subject.

What's the difference between "which would cause" and "which results in"?

"Which would cause" emphasizes the action leading to a result, while "which results in" focuses on the outcome. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the process or the consequence.