cause
n. · v. · conj.-
1 reason for an event (n.) A2 Elementarythe person, thing, or event that makes something happen.
the producer of an effect; the person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.
ExampleThe police are still trying to find the cause of the fire.
ExampleDetermining the root cause of the structural failure required a thorough investigation by a team of forensic engineers.
PitfallThe cause for the accident was ice.The cause of the accident was ice.Use the preposition 'of' after the noun 'cause' when identifying the source of a problem.
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2 a social goal (n.) B1 Intermediatea goal or idea that people support or fight for because they believe it is right.
a principle, aim, or movement that because of its perceived value is supported with dedication.
ExampleThey organized a concert to raise money for a good cause.
ExampleShe devoted her entire professional life to the cause of environmental protection, lobbying for stricter regulations on industrial waste.
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3 legal case (n.) C1 Advanced Formal Technical Lawa case that is being decided in a court of law.
a ground of action or a lawsuit brought before a court for adjudication.
ExampleThe judge dismissed the cause due to a lack of evidence.
ExampleThe plaintiff's counsel argued that there was sufficient cause to proceed with a full trial despite the defendant's motion for summary judgment.
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4 to make happen (v.) A2 Elementaryto make something happen, especially something bad.
to be the agent or occasion of an event; to bring about a result through action or influence.
ExampleThe heavy rain caused a lot of problems for drivers this morning.
ExampleThe sudden increase in interest rates caused a significant slowdown in the local housing market over the following quarter.
PitfallThe rain caused that the game stopped.The rain caused the game to stop.The verb 'cause' is followed by an object and a 'to-infinitive', not a 'that' clause.
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5 because (conj.) B1 Intermediate Informal Slanga short, informal way of saying 'because'.
an aphetic form of 'because' used to introduce a reason or explanation.
ExampleI didn't go to the party 'cause I was feeling tired.
ExampleHe decided to quit his job 'cause he couldn't stand the long commute anymore.
UsageOften written with an apostrophe as 'cause to show the missing letters.
From Middle English cause (also with the sense of “a thing”), borrowed from Old French cause (“a cause, a thing”), borrowed from Latin causa (“reason, sake, cause”), from Proto-Italic kaussā, which is of unknown origin. Doublet of chose (“(law) a thing; personal property”). See accuse, excuse, recuse, ruse. Displaced native Old English intinga. * From Middle English causen, Old French causer and Medieval Latin causāre.