cause
/kɔːz/ (bre, ipa) · /kɔːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkȯz/ (ame, mw) · /kɑːz/ (ame, ipa) · /kɒz/ (bre, ipa)
cause — noun
1. a person, thing, or event that makes something else happen — especially when the
a person, thing, or event that makes something else happen — especially when the result is unwanted or harmful.
The heavy rain was the main cause of the flooding in the village.
cause of [something] — identifying what makes something happen
Doctors are still trying to find the cause of her illness.
A loose wire was the cause of the fire in the warehouse.
Without a clear cause, the police had trouble explaining the crash.
文法句型
cause of [something]
cause for [feeling]
用法筆記
Use 'cause of' followed by the result (e.g. cause of the delay), not 'cause for' which belongs to sense 2. Frequently used with definite determiners (the cause, a cause).
常見錯誤
2. a good or acceptable reason for having a particular emotion or for acting in a c
a good or acceptable reason for having a particular emotion or for acting in a certain way.
The new policy gave the staff no cause for concern.
cause for [concern/worry] — typical noun after 'for'
Leila's excellent exam results were a cause for celebration.
The lawyer argued that the defendant had just cause to refuse the search.
There is no cause for alarm — the smoke came from a burned toast.
- grounds
more formal and often legal; 'grounds for complaint'
- justification
stronger, implies a moral or logical basis
- reason
general and less formal; 'reason' works in most contexts
文法句型
cause for [noun]
cause to [verb]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense is uncountable and takes 'cause for' (not 'cause of'). Common in fixed phrases: 'just cause', 'without cause', 'good cause'. Typical objects are feelings: concern, alarm, complaint, celebration.
常見錯誤
3. an idea, goal, or set of principles that people believe in and work actively to
an idea, goal, or set of principles that people believe in and work actively to uphold, especially when they see it as morally important.
Aiko has devoted her life to the cause of environmental protection.
the cause of [principle] — identifying the movement
Donations from around the world poured in to support the cause.
A veteran union leader fought for the cause of workers' rights throughout his career.
Many young volunteers joined the cause after seeing the documentary.
The cause of world peace is one that unites people across borders.
文法句型
[adjective] cause
in the cause of [something]
fight for a cause
用法筆記
Often modified by adjectives that add moral weight: 'good cause', 'worthy cause', 'noble cause'. The collocation 'lost cause' (a hopeless effort) is a fixed idiom. This sense is followed by 'of' when specifying the goal (the cause of justice).
4. a legal case put before a judge, or the basis on which someone initiates a legal
a legal case put before a judge, or the basis on which someone initiates a legal proceeding.
The judge will hear the cause in the high court next Monday.
hear a cause — fixed verb collocation in legal context
The lawyer prepared the cause carefully before presenting it to the jury.
The cause was dismissed because the evidence was not strong enough.
A famous human rights lawyer agreed to argue their cause in court.
用法筆記
Restricted to legal contexts. Not a synonym for the everyday word 'case' — use 'cause' only when a formal legal proceeding is implied. In modern usage, 'cause of action' is more common than 'cause' alone.
常見錯誤
cause — verb
1. to produce an event or result, typically one that is not desired; to be the dire
to produce an event or result, typically one that is not desired; to be the direct factor that leads a person or thing to act or change in a given way.
The storm caused serious damage to homes along the coast.
cause + [damage/harm] — typical object pattern
What caused the engine to stop working in the middle of the highway?
cause + [somebody/something] + to infinitive
Hana's careless remark caused a lot of trouble between the two friends.
The cold weather caused the pipes to freeze overnight.
Ravi's long absence caused his parents a great deal of worry.
- bring about
more neutral; can be used for both positive and negative results
- lead to
suggests a chain of events rather than a single direct cause
- result in
emphasizes the outcome rather than the agent
- provoke
stronger, implies the result was a reaction, often emotional
文法句型
cause [something]
cause [somebody] to [do something]
cause [somebody] [something]
用法筆記
Unlike 'make', 'cause' is not followed by a bare infinitive — you must use 'cause + object + to-infinitive'. The object is typically an abstract noun (trouble, damage, delay, concern) or an animate noun followed by 'to' + verb. Frequently used in the passive when the result is the focus: 'The accident was caused by a faulty brake.'
常見錯誤
cause — conjunction
1. for the reason that; used in informal speech and writing as a shortened form of
for the reason that; used in informal speech and writing as a shortened form of 'because'.
I stayed home cause I was feeling sick.
informal spelling of 'because' — written as 'cause
Theo missed the train cause his alarm did not go off.
I can't come out tonight cause I have a big test tomorrow.
Priya took the bus this morning cause her car was in the shop.
文法句型
cause [clause], [clause]
用法筆記
This is a non-standard written form that mirrors casual speech. Avoid in formal writing, academic work, or professional emails. In writing that represents dialogue, it is acceptable. The spelling is often written without an apostrophe: 'cause (not 'cuz' which is even more informal).