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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Cause: Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：a reason or source (cause)

cause 🔊

/kɔːz/

n., v.

The person, thing, or situation that makes something happen.

Detective examining a fingerprint as a cause of a crime scene

a reason or source 🔊

➕

/ə ˈriːzən ɔːr sɔːrs/

n., v.

The person, thing, or situation that makes something happen.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'causa' (reason, motive) via Old French 'cause' into English.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'C' as in 'create' – a cause creates an effect.

📖 Example

The doctor tried hard to find the cause of the patient's headache. 🔊 The doctor tried hard to find the cause of the patient's headache.

🔗 Collocations

root cause – the fundamental reason for a problem

cause and effect – the relationship between actions and results

probable cause – reasonable grounds for believing something is true (often in law)

🔄 Synonyms

reason (n.) – a basis or explanation for something

motive (n.) – a reason for doing something, often hidden or emotional

origin (n.) – the point where something begins or arises

🚫 Antonyms

effect (n.) – the result or outcome of a cause

consequence (n.) – something that follows from an action or condition

result (n.) – the outcome of a cause or process

🌱 Derivatives

causeless (adj.) – without a known or apparent cause

causally (adv.) – in a way that relates to cause and effect

causality (n.) – the relationship between cause and effect

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'causa' meaning 'reason, motive', adopted into Old French as 'cause', then entered English around the 13th century. In modern usage, 'cause' is central to legal, scientific, and everyday discourse for identifying origins.

Meaning 2：to make something happen (cause)

cause 🔊

/kɔːz/

n., v.

To make something happen; to be the reason why something exists or occurs.

Hand pushing first domino to cause a chain reaction

to make something happen 🔊

➕

/tuː meɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈhæpən/

n., v.

To make something happen; to be the reason why something exists or occurs.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Driving too fast can easily cause serious accidents on this winding road. 🔊 Driving too fast can easily cause serious accidents on this winding road.

🔗 Collocations

cause a problem – to create a difficulty or issue

cause an accident – to be the reason for a crash or mishap

cause damage – to harm or spoil something

🔄 Synonyms

bring about (v. phr.) – to cause something to happen, especially through deliberate action

lead to (v. phr.) – to result in something, often gradually

trigger (v.) – to cause something to start or happen suddenly

🚫 Antonyms

prevent (v.) – to stop something from happening

deter (v.) – to discourage or hinder an action or event

avoid (v.) – to keep away from something that might cause harm

🌱 Derivatives

causer (n.) – a person or thing that causes something

causative (adj.) – acting as a cause; producing an effect

causation (n.) – the action of causing something