cause

Something that makes an event or situation happen.

• What was the cause of the fire?
• Doctors found the cause of her pain.
• The report lists several causes of water pollution.

How to use it: cause of something (They are investigating the cause of the crash.)

Similar words: reason, source

Opposites: effect

Common phrases: cause of something, main cause, underlying cause, root cause

An important goal or belief that people work together to support.

• The money goes to a good cause.
• They marched together for a common cause.
• Which causes does your charity support?

How to use it: cause of something (She devoted her life to the cause of peace.)

Similar words: mission, goal

Common phrases: good cause, worthy cause, support a cause

A good enough reason to do or feel something.

• There is no cause for worry.
• The results gave us cause to celebrate.
• Did the manager dismiss her without cause?

How to use it: cause for something (The delay is no cause for alarm.); cause to do something (We have cause to celebrate today.)

Similar words: reason, grounds, justification

Common phrases: cause for concern, cause for alarm, without cause, cause to complain

To make something happen, often something bad.

• Smoke can cause illness.
• The storm caused serious damage.
• What caused the engine to stop?

How to use it: cause someone/something to do something (The noise caused the baby to wake up.); cause someone something (The delay caused us some trouble.)

Similar words: bring about, produce, trigger

Opposites: prevent

Common phrases: cause damage, cause a problem, cause someone pain, cause a reaction

To use power or effort to make something happen.

• The court caused the order to be enforced.
• She caused the documents to be published.
• His firm leadership caused the team to finish on time.

How to use it: cause something to be done (The judge caused the records to be released.); cause someone to do something (The king caused his officers to search every house.)

Similar words: bring about, effect

Opposites: prevent

Common phrases: cause something to happen, cause something to stop