What is cause? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cause" in English. It's a very versatile word with multiple meanings and grammatical uses. Here's a detailed explanation, broken down into categories:

1. As a Verb (To Bring About, Trigger, or Make Happen)

• Most Common Meaning: This is the most frequent use of "cause." It means to make something happen, to trigger an event, or to be the reason for something.

  • Example: “The heavy rain caused flooding in the town.” (The rain was the reason for the flooding.)
  • Example: “Smoking causes cancer.” (Smoking leads to or results in cancer.)
  • Example: “His carelessness caused the accident.” (His carelessness was the reason for the accident.)
  • Variations: You can use "cause" with ‘to’ – “He caused the train to delay.”

2. As a Noun (The Reason or Origin of Something)

• Meaning: This “cause” refers to the reason why something happened. It’s often associated with social or political issues.

  • Example: “He dedicated his life to the cause of environmental protection.” (He worked for the reason of protecting the environment.)
  • Example: “The charity supports various social causes.” (The charity supports different reasons for action – poverty, homelessness, etc.)
  • Example: “Animal rights is a powerful cause.” (A movement for the rights of animals.)

3. "Cause" + "to" + Infinitive (To Lead To/Result In)

• Formal & Precise: This construction is often used in more formal writing and is more precise than simply saying "cause." Think of it as "lead to" or "result in."

  • Example: “The excessive use of pesticides caused to a decline in bee populations.” (More formal than "caused a decline...")
  • Example: “His decision caused to a significant increase in profits.”

4. "Cause for" + Noun (A Reason for Concern or Happiness)

• Meaning: This phrase indicates a reason for feeling a certain way.

  • Example: “There is cause for celebration!” (There's a reason to celebrate.)
  • Example: "I have cause for concern about his health." (I have a reason to worry about his health.)
  • Example: "The sudden drop in sales was a cause for worry."

5. "Cause trouble" (To Create Problems or Conflict)

• Meaning: To be the reason that problems arise.

  • Example: “Don’t cause trouble.” (Don’t create problems.)
  • Example: “He’s always causing trouble at school.” (He's always creating problems.)

6. "Cause of death" (The Reason for Someone's Death)

• Specific Usage: This is a standard phrase in medical and legal contexts.

  • Example: “The cause of death was a heart attack.”

Key Points to Remember:

• Linking Verbs: “Cause” often connects a subject to a result. (Subject + Cause + Result)
• Causality: “Cause” implies a direct relationship between something and its effect.
• Formal vs. Informal: While “cause” is generally acceptable in everyday speech, “lead to” or “result in” might sound more polished in formal writing.

Resources for More Practice:

• Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/cause-vs-reason/ – Great for clarifying nuances.
• Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause – Provides extensive definitions and examples.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of context are you working with? (e.g., academic writing, casual conversation, creative writing?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?