will only cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will only cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action or event will result in a specific outcome, often with a negative connotation. Example: "If we don't address the issue now, it will only cause more problems in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

limit will only cause chaos.

The New York Times

That will only cause big problems in the future.

The New Yorker

"It will only cause damage and uncertainty to the commercial market".

The New York Times

More arms will only cause more bloodshed, more refugees and more chaos, with many unintended consequences.

The New York Times

It will only cause more jobs to be outsourced and more foreign workers to stay away.

The New York Times

Attempting to go farther will only cause more pain and damage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With less slack, labour-market tightening alone will only cause domestic inflation.

The Economist

Staying cooped up will only cause you to shut off from the rest of the world.

Forbes

This will only cause them more pain.

Vice

That will only cause a bigger headache down the line.

Huffington Post

"No matter how many collars you put around [a cat's] neck, you will only cause stress.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will only cause", ensure the context clearly establishes the negative consequence you intend to convey. Be specific about the outcome to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "will only cause" when the outcome is merely a possibility, not a certainty. Opt for phrases like "may lead to" or "could potentially cause" to reflect uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will only cause" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a future consequence. It expresses a prediction or expectation that a specific action or situation will lead to a particular outcome. Ludwig confirms its correctness, providing examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

46%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will only cause" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that a particular action or situation will lead to a specific outcome, typically with negative implications. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds application across diverse contexts, including news, wikis, and encyclopedias. While it is widely used and understood, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly establishes the intended negative consequence. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "will merely result in" or "will inevitably produce". Furthermore, being mindful of overstating potential consequences is essential for maintaining credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will simply result in

Replaces "cause" with a more neutral "result in", indicating a consequence without necessarily implying a negative outcome.

will merely lead to

Similar to "will simply result in", but emphasizes the sequential nature of the consequence.

will just generate

Focuses on the creation of a particular outcome, often used when the result is something tangible or measurable.

will inevitably produce

Emphasizes the certainty of the outcome; suggests that the consequence is unavoidable.

is bound to create

Similar to "will inevitably produce", indicating a high likelihood of a specific outcome.

is sure to trigger

Implies a more immediate and direct consequence, often used for reactions or events.

is likely to provoke

Similar to "is sure to trigger", but emphasizes the potential for a strong or emotional response.

will definitely bring about

Highlights the active role of the cause in instigating the effect, making the outcome seem unavoidable.

will undoubtedly foster

Highlights the outcome to be something developing gradually in the future.

will certainly contribute to

Indicates that the action is one factor among others, rather than the sole cause, of an outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "will only cause" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can substitute "will only cause" with phrases like "will merely result in", "will simply lead to", or "will inevitably produce" for a more sophisticated tone.

What are some less negative alternatives to "will only cause"?

If you want to avoid a negative connotation, consider using phrases like "will simply result in", "will just generate", or "will certainly contribute to" to describe a consequence more neutrally.

Is it always appropriate to use "will only cause" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "will only cause" might be too direct for some academic contexts. Alternatives like "will inevitably produce" or "will certainly contribute to" can provide a more nuanced and scholarly tone.

How can I emphasize the certainty of a negative outcome when using "will only cause"?

To emphasize certainty, you could pair "will only cause" with adverbs like "inevitably" or "undoubtedly". Alternatively, phrases like "will inevitably produce" or "is bound to create" inherently convey a higher degree of certainty.