cause

/kɔ:z/
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Thân thiện
cause

The lawyer presented the cause before the judge.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A person, thing, or event that makes something happen: The reason why something exists or occurs.
    • A principle, aim, or movement that one is prepared to support or advocate for: A goal or ideal that people work to achieve.
    • A matter to be resolved in a court of law: A case or lawsuit.
  2. Verb:

    • To make something happen; to be the reason that something occurs: To produce an effect or result.
    • To prompt or force someone to do something: To be the reason that a person acts in a specific way.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • Scientists are trying to determine the cause of the fire. (The origin or reason for the fire.)
    • She dedicated her life to the cause of environmental protection. (The goal or movement she supports.)
    • The lawyer presented his client's cause before the judge. (The legal case.)
  • Verb:

    • Heavy rain can cause flooding in this area. (Make flooding happen.)
    • The loud noise caused the baby to wake up. (Made the baby wake up.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To have cause to (do something)": To have a good reason or justification for doing something.

    • After the repeated delays, we had cause to complain to the manager.
  • "In the cause of (something)": For the sake of or in support of a particular principle or goal.

    • They were working in the cause of peace and reconciliation.
  • "A lost cause": A person or goal that is certain to fail or cannot be helped.

    • Trying to convince him is a lost cause; he never changes his mind.
Variants and Related Words
  • Causal (adj): Relating to or acting as a cause.

    • There is a causal relationship between smoking and lung disease.
  • Causation (n): The action of causing something; the relationship between cause and effect.

    • The study investigates the causation of the economic crisis.
  • Causative (adj): Acting as a cause; (in grammar) expressing causation (e.g., the verb "to raise" is the causative form of "to rise").

    • "To fell" is the causative verb meaning "to cause to fall."
Synonyms
  • Noun (Reason): Reason, origin, source, root.
  • Noun (Goal): Principle, ideal, movement, crusade.
  • Verb: Produce, create, generate, bring about, induce, prompt.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
  • Cause for (something): A reason for a particular feeling or reaction.

    • The sudden improvement in sales is cause for celebration.
  • Make common cause with (someone): To join with someone to achieve a shared goal.

    • The two political parties made common cause with each other to pass the new law.
Related Idioms
  • A champion of a cause: Someone who fights for or defends a particular principle or goal.

    • She was known as a champion of the cause for workers' rights.
  • For one's own cause: For one's own personal benefit or reasons.

    • He pretended to help, but he was really working for his own cause.
cause

The lawyer presented the cause before the judge.

Noun
  1. a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
    • the family brought suit against the landlord
  2. any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
  3. a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
    • he supported populist campaigns
    • they worked in the cause of world peace
    • the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
    • the movement to end slavery
    • contributed to the war effort
  4. a justification for something existing or happening
    • he had no cause to complain
    • they had good reason to rejoice
  5. events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
    • they are trying to determine the cause of the crash
Verb
  1. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
    • The ads induced me to buy a VCR
    • My children finally got me to buy a computer
    • My wife made me buy a new sofa
  2. give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
    • cause a commotion
    • make a stir
    • cause an accident