Phrasal verb
bring sth about
Definition
phrasal verb. to make something happen, especially a big change.
phrasal verb. to cause something to happen; to be the catalyst for a significant change or event. Transitive and often used in formal or academic contexts.
Examples
“The new law will bring about many changes.”
“The invention of the internet brought about a revolution in how we share information.”
“Historians argue whether the economic crisis alone was enough to bring about the collapse of the regime or if social unrest played a larger role.”
Examples
simple
“The new law will bring about many changes.”
contextual
“The invention of the internet brought about a revolution in how we share information.”
complex
“Historians argue whether the economic crisis alone was enough to bring about the collapse of the regime or if social unrest played a larger role.”
Usage
usually followed by an abstract noun like 'change', 'reform', or 'destruction'.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'cause'; while 'cause' often links to negative results, 'bring about' is more neutral and frequently used for intentional, large-scale societal or political shifts.
Pitfall
The meeting brought about to a decision.
The meeting brought about a decision.
this phrasal verb is transitive and takes a direct object; do not add the preposition 'to' after 'about'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
about
Separability
optional
Pattern
bring + object + about