cause an accident vs provoke an accident

Both 'cause an accident' and 'provoke an accident' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably. They both convey the idea of being responsible for an accident happening.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 2098 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"cause an accident"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone or something is the reason behind an accident happening.

Examples:

Speeding can cause an accident.
Distracted driving can cause an accident.
Drunk driving can cause an accident.
Running a red light can cause an accident.
Not wearing a seatbelt can cause an accident.

Show examples from the web [+]

Such behavior can cause an accident.
This scene has complex copper wiring, so a slight mistake could cause an accident...
It was obvious that a reservoir containing such a large quantity of dangerous products near to a natural park such as Doñana could cause an accident at any time.
You're trying to cause an accident?
The only thing that's going to cause an accident is you two larking around!
Even if he could, why would he cause an accident when he himself was in the car?
A serious safety risk in this context should be understood as being serious non-compliance with legal obligations or safety requirements, that may in itself or in a series of consequential events cause an accident or a serious accident.
You'll cause an accident.
You can cause an accident.
You could cause an accident.
For example, malfunctioning brakes on a motor cycle could cause an accident and result in damage to the driver's head, hands and legs, and could even cause burns if the petrol bursts into flames in the accident.
Otherwise you're going to cause an accident and you just don't need that sort of hassle, do you? No.
And I'm uncertain that I'll cause an accident.
An explosion would cause an accident, not a pilot error.
Perhaps you wanted it to happen more than the others, but you couldn't cause an accident so far.
Did you cause an accident?
You didn't cause an accident.
Or you might cause an accident.
My hand's about to cause an accident.
A conspicuous example are children's toys - dangerous ingredients contained in the paints or plastic parts can cause health problems, and poor workmanship can cause an accident which ends up with a visit to hospital.

Alternatives:

lead to an accident
result in an accident
bring about an accident
trigger an accident
precipitate an accident

This phrase is correct and can be used to convey the idea of causing an accident.

"provoke an accident"

This phrase is also used to indicate that someone or something has caused an accident to happen.

Examples:

His reckless driving provoked an accident.
The faulty wiring in the building provoked an accident.
The storm provoked an accident on the highway.
Her aggressive behavior provoked an accident.
The slippery road conditions provoked an accident.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mateo, Ernesto not only did not provoke the accident, but he was also the first person who came to help you.
Mr President, a nuclear accident always provokes highly emotional reactions, fear and even irrational terror.
If you increase interest taxes you provoke an irriversible spiral.
You're trying to provoke an argument.
Mr Decker, I will not provoke an attack.
An end to the euro would indeed provoke an immense crisis.
But when absorbed through your victim's skin, it will provoke an extreme allergic reaction.
Yes, I intentionally Got you drunk to provoke an argument between you and amber.
To keep out anything that would provoke an asthma attack.
It is therefore in the interest of all the parties to avoid any incident which might provoke an escalation.
He's acting out of desperation because he has nothing and he's trying to provoke an equally desperate response.
That on contact with a temperature greater than 600 degrees will provoke an explosion.
A return to a substantially undervalued exchange rate would almost certainly provoke an international response, including from the US Congress.
It seems that this was an attempt to provoke an international conflict which could put the whole of Central Asia at risk.
We only know that an accident occurred.
There was an accident in Engineering.
Grandma said it was an accident.
What happened to our machinery was an accident.
Cops said that was an accident.
I heard there was an accident.

Alternatives:

cause an accident
lead to an accident
result in an accident
bring about an accident
trigger an accident

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cause an accident vs provoke an accident