give rise to

/ɡɪv raɪz tuː/ · giv RIZE toocause-and-effect phrase

Cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

Use give rise to to express this relationship precisely: cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

What give rise to Really Means

The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.

1

Core action

Cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

Example

Repeated flooding can give rise to new channels across the plain.

2

Common construction

Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.

Example

Ambiguous instructions gave rise to several competing interpretations.

3

Reasoning effect

It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.

Example

The mutation may give rise to a protein with a different shape.

Use give rise to Naturally

Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.

Repeated flooding can give rise to new channels across the plain.

Ambiguous instructions gave rise to several competing interpretations.

The mutation may give rise to a protein with a different shape.

Precision Matters

Give rise to overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.

give rise to

Means cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

vs.
bring about

Means cause an event, condition, or change to happen.

give rise to

Means cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

vs.
lead to

Means cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.

give rise to

Means cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

vs.
contribute to

Means help cause, support, or advance an outcome without necessarily being its sole cause.

give rise to

Means cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.

vs.
account for

Means to explain something or constitute a specified portion of it.

Test give rise to in Context

The water loss causes the cracks to develop.

1

Persistent water loss can ___ cracks in the clay surface.

Prepared byFirst Academy
Editorial responsibilityFirst Academy Academic Team
Updated3 August 2026
Selection and reviewRead our methodology