A. ‘Cause’ verbs and their collocations
The differences between these verbs are best learnt by observing their typical collocations.
- Cause usually collocates with negative results and situations.
- The new computer system has caused us a lot of problems.
- His stomach cancer was caused by exposure to radiation.
- Produce is more neutral, and deals with more concrete results. It is used in formal contexts.
- Scientists can produce statistics and figures that can prove almost anything.
- Cooking the dish for a long time at a very low heat produces the best results.
- While cause usually collocates with negative situations, give can be used for positive or negative ones. Give is less formal than cause.
- Our dog has given us a lot of pleasure over the years.
- This car is giving me so much trouble, I’m going to get rid of it.
- Generate is often used in contexts where people are forced to do more than usual, and in computer contexts. It sometimes has a rather negative feel. It is used in formal contexts.
- It’s going to be difficult to generate sufficient interest in the project.
- The government will have to generate the extra funds somehow or other.
Language help
Cause and give are often used for things happening without people doing anything, e.g. The
hurricane caused terrible damage.
Produce and generate usually suggest some sort of intervention by people, e.g. His presentation
generated a lot of interest in the project.
B. Other ‘cause’ words
- The news provoked a feeling of despair in everyone.
- The events precipitated a political crisis.
- The invention of the car brought about great changes in society.
- Your action has resulted in a formal complaint from a member of the public.
- His problems stem from his difficult childhood.
- Have you any grounds for suspecting him?
- The proposal has implications for traffic in the area.
- My argument is based on the available data.
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