cause

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++cause1 /kɔːz $ kɒːz/ ●●● S1 W1 verb [transitive]  CAUSEto make something happen, especially something bad 导致，引起，使发生 Heavy traffic is causing delays on the freeway. 交通拥挤使高速公路通行不畅。 The fire caused £15,000 worth of damage. 这场火灾造成了价值1.5万英镑的损失。cause something for somebody The oil spill is causing problems for coastal fisheries. 石油泄漏在给沿海渔场带来种种问题。cause concern/uncertainty/embarrassment etc The policy changes have caused great uncertainty for the workforce. 政策上的改变给劳动人口带来了很多未知数。 I’m sorry if I caused any confusion. 对不起，我可能给大家造成了混乱。cause somebody trouble/problems etc You’ve caused us all a lot of unnecessary worry. 你给我们大家带来了不必要的担心。 Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause offence (=offend you). 对不起，我不是故意要冒犯你。cause somebody/something to do something What caused you to change your mind? 是什么使你改变了主意？5 ► Do not say ‘cause that someone does something’. Say cause someone to do something.不要说 ‘cause that someone does something’. 而要说 cause someone to do something.n RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use the expression make somebody do something rather than cause somebody to do something:What made you change your mind? 是什么使你改变了主意？n GRAMMAR: Comparisoncause• Someone or something causes something: Investigators are trying to find out what caused the accident. • Something causes a person or thing to do something: The warmer temperatures caused the ice caps to melt.The injury caused him to lose the game. ✗Don’t say: cause that someone does somethingmake• Someone or something makes another person or thing do something: The warmer temperatures made the ice caps melt.The injury made him lose the game. ✗Don’t say: make someone/something to do somethingn COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1 : to make something happen, especially something bad 导致，引起，使发生nounscause a problemThe heavy rain has been causing serious problems on the roads.cause troubleI decided not to complain because I didn’t want to cause trouble.cause damageA fire had broken out and caused severe damage to the roof.cause (a) diseaseScientists are trying to find out what causes the disease.cause injuryRugby is one of the sports that are most likely to cause injury.cause painThe infection can cause severe pain.cause deathThe famine caused the death of up to 400,000 people.cause (a) delayBad weather caused delays at many airports.cause an accident75% of accidents are caused by speeding.cause chaos/disruptionFloods caused chaos across much of the country.cause concern/alarmEnvironmental issues are causing widespread concern.cause confusionTeachers say the reforms will cause confusion in schools.cause offence/embarrassment (=offend/embarrass someone)How can I refuse the invitation without causing offence? THESAURUScause to make something happen, especially something bad 导致，造成〔尤指坏事〕Bad weather has caused a lot of problems on the roads. 恶劣的天气给交通造成了很多问题。The fault caused the whole computer system to shut down. 这个错误使整个电脑系统崩溃。make somebody/something do something to cause someone to do something, or cause something to happen. Make is less formal than cause, and is the usual word to use in everyday English 促使某人做某事/某事发生〔make不如cause正式，是日常英语的常用单词〕What made you decide to become a teacher? 你怎么会决定当教师的？I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry. 对不起，我并不是有意要惹你哭。Gravity is the force which makes the planets move round the Sun. 引力是行星绕太阳运行的动力。be responsible for something if someone or something is responsible for something bad, they caused it to happen 是造成某事的原因〔指坏事〕The excessive heat was responsible for their deaths. 它们的死亡是气温超高所致。A small militant group was responsible for the bombing. 策动这次炸弹袭击的是一个激进的小团体。bring about something to make something happen – used especially about changes or improvements 引起某事，带来某事〔尤指变化或进步〕The Internet has brought about enormous changes in society. 因特网带来了巨大的社会变革。It’s important that we do everything we can to bring about peace. 我们一定要竭尽所能实现和平。result in something if an action or event results in something, it makes that thing happen 导致某事，造成某事The fire resulted in the deaths of two children. 火灾造成两名儿童死亡。The decision is likely to result in a large number of job losses. 这个决定可能会导致很多人失业。lead to something to cause something to happen eventually after a period of time 引起某事，导致某事The information led to several arrests. 这一线索致使若干人被捕。A poor diet in childhood can lead to health problems later in life. 儿童时期的不良饮食会造成日后的健康问题。trigger if one event triggers another, it suddenly makes the second event happen 引发，触发The incident triggered a wave of violence. 这一事件引发了一轮暴力浪潮。An earthquake off Java’s southern coast triggered a tsunami. 爪哇岛南部海岸的地震引发了海啸。precipitate formal to make a very serious event happen very suddenly, which will affect a lot of people 使突然发生，引发〔严重的事件〕The withdrawal of foreign investment would precipitate an economic crisis. 外资的撤出将会引发经济危机。The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand precipitated World War I. 费迪南大公遇刺引发了第一次世界大战。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

cause• The fire caused $500,000 in damage.• What used to cause a belly laugh now earns a pleasant chuckle.• The stepfather denies 24 charges of cruelty and two of causing actual bodily harm.• It caused an estimated $ 40 billion in damage and killed 72 people.• We're sorry if we've caused any confusion.• He claimed that the site was geologically unsound and any stress caused by a shift in water levels could cause an earthquake.• The autopsy showed that her death was caused by liver failure.• Approximately 90% of deaths from lung cancer and bronchitis are caused by smoking.• About half of the chemicals that were tested caused cancer in rats.• Such large emboli usually cause death within one to two hours.• The theory among media honchos is that sending a reporter may cause families to change their minds.• As children we were always causing our parents trouble.• The power failure caused the whole computer system to shut down.• Try to isolate the problems that are causing you the most difficulty.cause concern/uncertainty/embarrassment etc• Finally, the possible actions of care managers cause concern.• Virtually every organization has employees who seem to cause concern.• We recognise that reporting of the issue has caused concern.• The inaccurate economic predictions should cause concern about the reliability of the financial benefits of annexation.• The announcement will cause concern in the Middle East, where water is one of the most sensitive strategic issues.• He seemed to be genuinely horrified at the prospect of causing embarrassment or disappointment or inconvenience to another person.• These differ from one culture to another and can consequently be misinterpreted and cause embarrassment or suspicion.

Related topics: Law

cause2 ●●● S2 W1 noun  1  WHAT CAUSES something[countable]CAUSE a person, event, or thing that makes something happen 原因，起因 → effectcause of Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for American women in their 40s. 乳癌是美国四十多岁妇女死亡的主要原因。 It’s our job to establish the cause of the fire. 查明起火原因是我们的责任。5 ► Do not say ‘the cause for something’. Say the cause of something.不要说 ‘cause that someone does something’. 而要说 cause someone to do something.2  GOOD REASON[uncountable]REASON a fact that makes it right or reasonable for you to feel or behave in a particular way 理由，缘由 SYN reasoncause for There is no cause for alarm. 不必惊慌。 The patient’s condition is giving cause for concern. 病人的状况令人担忧。 The present political climate gives little cause for optimism. 当前的政治气候不容乐观。have (good) cause to do something His father has good cause to be proud of him. 他父亲完全有理由为他感到骄傲。with/without good cause Many people are worried about the economy, and with good cause. 许多人担心经济状况，这是有充分理由的。3  something YOU SUPPORT[countable] an aim, belief, or organization that a group of people support or fight for 事业，理想，目标 My father fought for the Nationalist cause. 我父亲为民族党的事业而奋斗。cause of her lifelong devotion to the cause of women’s rights 她对女权事业终生的奉献 He has championed the cause of independence (=he has supported it publicly). 他声援独立事业。 You can get fit, and at the same time raise money for a worthy cause. 你可以健身，同时又能为崇高的事业募捐。 Please give generously – it’s all in a good cause (=done in order to help people). 请慷慨解囊，共襄善举。4  have/make common cause (with/against somebody) formalUNITE to join with other people or groups in order to oppose an enemy （和某人）携手合作；（和某人）协力对敌 U.S. officials expect other Western governments to make common cause with them over the arrests. 美国官员希望其他西方国家的政府能和他们联手捉拿罪犯。5. LAW[countable] lawSCL a case that is brought to a court of law 诉讼案件 → lost cause at lost2(12)n GRAMMAR: Comparisoncause• You say the cause of something: What was the cause of the problem? ✗Don’t say: the cause for the problem• You say there is cause for concern/alarm/complaint etc: The doctor said there was cause for concern. ✗Don’t say: There was a cause for concern.reason• You say the reason for something: What do you think was the reason for their success? ✗Don’t say: the reason of their success• You talk about the reason why something happens: Can you tell me the reason why you did this? COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a person, event, or thing that makes something happen 原因，起因adjectivesa common cause of something 某事的常见原因Alcohol is the most common cause of road accidents. 饮酒是交通事故最常见的肇事原因。the main/primary cause of something 某事的主要原因Smoking is the main cause of lung disease. 吸烟是导致肺病的主要原因。a major/leading cause of something 某事的重要原因In this country, debt is a major cause of homelessness. 在这个国家，负债是造成无家可归的重要原因。nDrug abuse is the leading cause of crime and violence.a direct/indirect cause 直接/间接原因Government policies are the direct cause of the problems facing the economy. 政府的政策是导致经济面临这些问题的直接原因。the root cause (=the most basic cause) 根本原因People often deal with the symptoms rather than the root cause of a problem. 人们处理问题往往治标不治本。the fundamental/underlying cause (=the root cause) 根本原因nThe underlying cause of insomnia is often anxiety.the probable/likely cause 可能的原因nThe probable cause of the fire was faulty wiring.verbsdiscover/find the cause 找出原因An investigation has failed to discover the cause of the epidemic. 调查没有找出流行病的病因。determine/establish/identify the cause (=discover definitely what it is) 确定原因nA team of experts is at the scene of the accident, trying to determine the cause.investigate the cause 调查原因nPolice are still investigating the cause of the fire.phrasesthe cause of death 死因A snake bite was the cause of death. 遭到蛇咬是致死原因。die of/from natural causes (=die of illness, old age etc, not because of an accident or crime) 自然死亡nHe died from natural causes, believed to be a heart attack.cause and effect (=the idea that one thing directly causes another) 因果关系nWhat happened was simply a question of cause and effect.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: an aim, belief, or organization that a group of people support or fight for 事业，理想，目标adjectivesa good cause (=one that is worth supporting, for example a charity)The money we are raising is for a good cause.a worthy/deserving cause (=a good cause)The Red Cross is a very worthy cause.a just cause (=an aim that is fair and right)The rebels believed that they were fighting for a just cause.a noble cause (=an aim that is morally good)He died for a noble cause.the Nationalist/Republican etc cause (=their aims and organization)The election results were a serious blow to the Nationalist cause.verbssupport a causeGiving money is only one way of supporting a good cause.fight for a cause (=take action to achieve an aim)Young people often want to fight for a cause.champion a cause (=publicly support an aim)He has championed the cause of renewable energy since the 1980s.advance/further/promote a cause (=help to achieve an aim)He did much to advance the cause of freedom.be committed to a cause (=believe in an aim very strongly)We are committed to the cause of racial justice.be sympathetic to a cause (=understand an aim, and possibly support it)They hope the new president will be sympathetic to their cause.

Examples from the Corpus

cause• These rebels felt they had a cause.• I've never had any cause to complain about my doctor.• Also, effects require or alternatively require other conditions as well as causes.• The immediate cause of last week's blackouts was a large power plant suddenly going offline in Northern California.• The persistence of black troubles, and the loss of faith in the old integrationist cause, has discredited traditional black leaders.• He no longer loved her, and with just cause, because she had betrayed him.• We have little sympathy for people who leave their jobs without just cause.• There is no cause for alarm about the safety of drinking water.• Several other causes, according to their findings, often lie at the root of violence against tenants.• Our cause is just, and we are prepared to give our lives for it.• The root cause of the current energy crisis is that we simply use too much energy.• But the very people who are the cause of the problem have to be part of the solution.• Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.• Doctors cannot find a cure for the illness until they have identified the cause.• Thousands died in the cause of freedom.• This time, material progress did not serve the cause of the Church.• The cause of Socialism is not dead.• Lastly, they want to give tax advantages to causes deemed worthy, or at least popular.• Money from the charity dinner will go to causes chosen by the guests.• The child's behaviour is giving us cause for concern.cause of• Airline officials refused to comment on the cause of the crash.• Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered for her devotion to the cause of women's rights.cause for• FAA officials see no cause for alarm in safety procedures.in a good cause• But Will took it lying down - all in a good cause of course.• Hell, forgive and forget because it's all in a good cause.• It's all in a good cause. 6.• There speaks the nineteenth century: all gone, but in a good cause.• There is no excuse for inflicting them on your fellow-citizens by saying it is done in a good cause.• It was in a good cause.Origin cause1 (1200-1300) Old French Latin causa

cause1 verb →n GRAMMAR1 →n REGISTER1
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →THESAURUS1cause2 noun →n GRAMMAR1 →COLLOCATIONS1
→n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChinese  

happen, make Corpus something to bad something especially

cause

I

cause¹ S2 W1 /kɔːz $ kɒːz/ noun1. [countable] a person, event, or thing that makes something happen ⇨ effect
    cause of
    Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for American women in their 40s.
    It’s our job to establish the cause of the fire.
  ► Do not say ‘the cause for something’. Say the cause of something.
2. [uncountable] a fact that makes it right or reasonable for you to feel or behave in a particular way
   SYN  reason
    cause for
    There is no cause for alarm.
    The patient’s condition is giving cause for concern.
    The present political climate gives little cause for optimism.
    have (good) cause to do something
    His father has good cause to be proud of him.
    with/without good cause
    Many people are worried about the economy, and with good cause.
3. [countable] an aim, belief or organization that a group of people support or fight for:
    My father fought for the Nationalist cause.
    cause of
    her lifelong devotion to the cause of women’s rights
    He has championed the cause of independence (=he has supported it publicly).
    You can get fit, and at the same time raise money for a worthy cause.
    Please give generously – it’s all in a good cause (=done in order to help people).
4. have/make common cause (with/against somebody) formal to join with other people or groups in order to oppose an enemy:
    U.S. officials expect other Western governments to make common cause with them over the arrests.
5. [countable] law a case that is brought to a court of law
⇨ lost cause at lost²(12)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a common cause of something Alcohol is the most common cause of road accidents.
   ▪ the main/primary cause of something Smoking is the main cause of lung disease.
   ▪ a major/leading cause of something In this country, debt is a major cause of homelessness. | Drug abuse is the leading cause of crime and violence.
   ▪ a direct/indirect cause Government policies are the direct cause of the problems facing the economy.
   ▪ the root cause (=the most basic cause) People often deal with the symptoms rather than the root cause of a problem.
   ▪ the fundamental/underlying cause (=the root cause) The underlying cause of insomnia is often anxiety.
   ▪ the probable/likely cause The probable cause of the fire was faulty wiring.
■ verbs
   ▪ discover/find the cause An investigation has failed to discover the cause of the epidemic.
   ▪ determine/establish/identify the cause (=discover definitely what it is) A team of experts is at the scene of the accident, trying to determine the cause.
   ▪ investigate the cause Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
■ phrases
   ▪ the cause of death A snake bite was the cause of death.
   ▪ die of/from natural causes (=die of illness, old age etc, not because of an accident or crime) He died from natural causes, believed to be a heart attack.
   ▪ cause and effect (=the idea that one thing directly causes another) What happened was simply a question of cause and effect.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 3)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a good cause (=one that is worth supporting, for example a charity) The money we are raising is for a good cause.
   ▪ a worthy/deserving cause (=a good cause) The Red Cross is a very worthy cause.
   ▪ a just cause (=an aim that is fair and right) The rebels believed that they were fighting for a just cause.
   ▪ a noble cause (=an aim that is morally good) He died for a noble cause.
   ▪ the Nationalist/Republican etc cause (=their aims and organization) The election results were a serious blow to the Nationalist cause.
■ verbs
   ▪ support a cause Giving money is only one way of supporting a good cause.
   ▪ fight for a cause (=take action to achieve an aim) Young people often want to fight for a cause.
   ▪ champion a cause (=publicly support an aim) He has championed the cause of renewable energy since the 1980s.
   ▪ advance/further/promote a cause (=help to achieve an aim) He did much to advance the cause of freedom.
   ▪ be committed to a cause (=believe in an aim very strongly) We are committed to the cause of racial justice.
   ▪ be sympathetic to a cause (=understand an aim, and possibly support it) They hope the new President will be sympathetic to their cause.

II

cause² S1 W1 verb [transitive]
to make something happen, especially something bad:
    Heavy traffic is causing delays on the freeway.
    The fire caused £15,000 worth of damage.
    cause something for somebody
    The oil spill is causing problems for coastal fisheries.
    cause concern/uncertainty/embarrassment etc
    The policy changes have caused great uncertainty for the workforce.
    I’m sorry if I caused any confusion.
    cause somebody trouble/problems etc
    You’ve caused us all a lot of unnecessary worry.
    Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause offence (=offend you).
    cause somebody/something to do something
    What caused you to change your mind?
  ► Do not say ‘cause that someone does something’. Say cause someone to do something.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people usually use the expression make somebody do something rather than cause somebody to do something:
   ▪ What made you change your mind?
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1 )

■ nouns
   ▪ cause a problem The heavy rain has been causing serious problems on the roads.
   ▪ cause trouble I decided not to complain because I didn’t want to cause trouble.
   ▪ cause damage A fire had broken out and caused severe damage to the roof.
   ▪ cause (a) disease Scientists are trying to find out what causes the disease.
   ▪ cause injury Rugby is one of the sports that are most likely to cause injury.
   ▪ cause pain The infection can cause severe pain.
   ▪ cause death The famine caused the death of up to 400,000 people.
   ▪ cause (a) delay Bad weather caused delays at many airports.
   ▪ cause an accident 75% of accidents are caused by speeding.
   ▪ cause chaos/disruption Floods caused chaos across much of the country.
   ▪ cause concern/alarm Environmental issues are causing widespread concern.
   ▪ cause confusion Teachers say the reforms will cause confusion in schools.
   ▪ cause offence/embarrassment (=offend/embarrass someone) How can I refuse the invitation without causing offence?
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ cause to make something happen, especially something bad: Bad weather has caused a lot of problems on the roads. | The fault caused the whole computer system to shut down.
   ▪ make somebody/something do something to cause someone to do something, or cause something to happen. Make is less formal than cause, and is the usual word to use in everyday English: What made you decide to become a teacher? | I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry. | Gravity is the force which makes the planets move round the Sun.
   ▪ be responsible for something if someone or something is responsible for something bad, they caused it to happen: The excessive heat was responsible for their deaths. | A small militant group was responsible for the bombing.
   ▪ bring about something to make something happen – used especially about changes or improvements: The Internet has brought about enormous changes in society. | It’s important that we do everything we can to bring about peace.
   ▪ result in something if an action or event results in something, it makes that thing happen: The fire resulted in the deaths of two children. | The decision is likely to result in a large number of job losses.
   ▪ lead to something to cause something to happen eventually after a period of time: The information led to several arrests. | A poor diet in childhood can lead to health problems later in life.
   ▪ trigger if one event triggers another, it suddenly makes the second event happen: The incident triggered a wave of violence. | An earthquake off Java’s southern coast triggered a tsunami.
   ▪ precipitate formal to make a very serious event happen very suddenly, which will affect a lot of people: The withdrawal of foreign investment would precipitate an economic crisis. | The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand precipitated World War I.