cause也常作及物動詞使用，表「引起」、「造成」(to make something
happen)，通常搭配負面的事件，例如difficulty, damage, harm, problem,
trouble等。而在撰寫論文時也常用來表達兩個變項間的因果關係，如「A引起B的發生」就可用「A causes B」或「B is caused by A」的句型。
(1)「A causes B」的例句如下：
．Changes in the number of chromosomes can cause severe health
problems in human beings.
染色體數量的改變會引起人類嚴重的健康問題。
這類句型強調的是結果，除使用動詞cause之外，還可用result in, contribute to, lead to, be responsible for, be the reason for, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, trigger等字彙搭配來表達類似的意義。
(2)「B is caused by A」的例句如下：
．Sometimes depression is caused by circumstances.
有些憂鬱症是由環境所引起。
這類句型強調的是原因，還可用result from, follow from, arise from, derive
from, stem from, be ascribed to, be attributed to, be the result of, be the consequence of, be attributable to, be due to等字彙搭配來表達類似的意義。
cause的其他搭配如下：
1. cause + n.
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搭配詞例句
．A lack of money can cause the embarrassment and difficulties in a social situation.
在社交情境缺錢會引發尷尬和困擾。
．A confusing thinker is liable to cause controversy and conflict.
令人困惑的思想家容易引起爭議和衝突。
．This study compares the sound systems of Chinese and English, with special attention given to identifying the differences between the
two systems which are likely to cause interference or confusion.
此研究比較中英文的發音系統，特別是要指出兩種系統間容易引起干擾和困惑的差異處。
．U.S. culture may cause them confusion.
美國文化可能使他們困惑。
◎說明：cause之後也可以加兩個受詞 (double objects)，如上句中的them和
confusion。另外還有一相關句型，可用「cause + 人 + to」表達「使某人做某事」，例如：
What caused you to change your mind?
是什麼使你改變心意？
．Such criticism can cause considerable distress to many people.
這些批評引起許多人極大的苦惱。
2. cause + prep.
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搭配詞例句
．Dishwasher detergents are highly caustic and can cause terrible
injuries to the throat and stomach if they are accidentally swallowed.
洗碗精具高度腐蝕性，若不小心吞食會對喉嚨和胃造成可怕傷害。
．It is quite rare to have an accident directly caused by some kind of
technical failure.
意外很少是由某種機械故障所直接造成。
句型練習
以下例句為句型練習，讀者可依本身的研究領域填入空格，以熟悉搭配詞句型。
1. ______________________ cause major problems.
……引發重大問題。
2. _____________________ cause serious damage to ___________________.
……對……造成嚴重的損害。
3. _____________ will continue to cause fundamental changes in _______________.
……將持續在……帶來基本的改變。
4. _________________ is caused by the application of _________________.
……是……的使用所引起。
