The presence of foreign materials can cause damage to the consumer vs The presence of foreign materials may cause damage to the consumer

Both phrases are correct, but they differ in terms of certainty. 'Can' implies a higher degree of certainty compared to 'may.' 'Can' suggests a more definite cause-and-effect relationship, while 'may' indicates a possibility or likelihood. The choice between the two depends on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 295 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. 'Can' implies a higher degree of certainty regarding the cause-and-effect relationship.

"The presence of foreign materials can cause damage to the consumer"

This phrase is used to state a more definite cause-and-effect relationship between the presence of foreign materials and the damage to the consumer. It suggests a higher level of certainty.

Examples:

The presence of foreign materials can cause serious harm to the consumer.
Ingesting contaminated food can cause illness in the consumer.
Exposure to toxic substances can cause health problems in the consumer.
Poor quality products can cause dissatisfaction in the consumer.
Lack of proper labeling can cause confusion for the consumer.

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Studies show that prolonged exposure to noise over 80 dB can cause damage to hearing.
An excessive intake of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to health.
Counterfeit sunglasses can cause damage to the wearer's eyesight.
The manipulation or unreliability of benchmarks can cause damage to investors and consumers.
Poor quality products or wrong use of this kind of contact lenses can cause damage to the eye.
The exposure to lead can cause damage to a child's central nervous system, thus adversely impacting his/her development.
Lead can cause damage to the brain, liver, kidney, nerves and stomach.
In general, eggs should not be washed or cleaned because such practices can cause damage to the egg shell, which is an effective barrier to bacterial ingress with an array of antimicrobial properties.
Dermatological research has shown that dyes obtained from the paraphenylenediamine group, tars or heavy oils can cause damage to internal organs and, above all, the nervous system.
Indeed, as Mr D'Alema said as well, it is the presence of foreign troops that is attracting and causing the terrorism.
The resolution condemns the presence of foreign armed forces, which happen to be Libyan.
The report calls on the government of Kyrgyzstan to carry out a credible and responsible investigation into the conflict, possibly in the presence of foreign observers.
The presence of Perenco would undoubtedly be the ruination of these tribes through either violence or the introduction of foreign diseases.
How do we explain the presence of foreign female DNA found?
This practice is causing damage to organisms in the subsoil and without the presence of a barrier may lead to water pollution.
These conditions are caused by the climatic conditions with inter alia ice formation which can cause damage to both vessels and gear and freezing temperatures which can affect the engine of the vessel.
We denounce the problems concerning access to humanitarian aid and the presence of foreign troops on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Al-Shabaab has confirmed the presence of foreign fighters within its ranks and has stated openly that it is working with al-Qaida in Mogadishu to remove the Government of Somalia.
MEPs state their "concern at the presence of foreign troops under the Gulf Cooperation Council banner in Bahrain".
Despite this, Soviet officials occupied Villa Lituania in the presence of the representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the police.

Alternatives:

the presence of foreign materials may cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials might cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials could cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials is likely to cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials is capable of causing damage to the consumer

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. 'May' indicates a possibility or likelihood of the presence of foreign materials causing damage to the consumer.

"The presence of foreign materials may cause damage to the consumer"

This phrase is used to suggest a possibility or likelihood of the presence of foreign materials causing damage to the consumer. It implies a lower level of certainty compared to 'can'.

Examples:

The presence of foreign materials may lead to health issues for the consumer.
Improper storage may cause spoilage in the food products.
Lack of quality control may result in defects in the final product.
Exposure to certain chemicals may pose a risk to the consumer.
Incorrect usage of the product may lead to accidents for the consumer.

Show examples from the web [+]

Avastin may cause damage to your unborn baby as it may stop the formation of new blood vessels.
Attachments may cause damage to your system if opened. Only open files from trusted sources.
Alternatively control stations where water may cause damage to essential equipment may be fitted with an approved fixed fire-extinguishing system of another type.
uth Zenapax may cause damage to your unborn or breast-feeding baby.
The presence of such substances may cause reactions of varying degrees of seriousness in children.
The presence of Tg autoantibodies can be expected in 18-40% of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and may cause false negative serum Tg measurements.
The presence of certain pests, and in particular nematodes, in the soil may cause unacceptable damage to the health and usefulness of the plants concerned, in case those pests host viruses affecting the genera or species concerned.
Indeed, as Mr D'Alema said as well, it is the presence of foreign troops that is attracting and causing the terrorism.
The resolution condemns the presence of foreign armed forces, which happen to be Libyan.
The report calls on the government of Kyrgyzstan to carry out a credible and responsible investigation into the conflict, possibly in the presence of foreign observers.
The presence of Perenco would undoubtedly be the ruination of these tribes through either violence or the introduction of foreign diseases.
How do we explain the presence of foreign female DNA found?
This practice is causing damage to organisms in the subsoil and without the presence of a barrier may lead to water pollution.
In soft drinks such as Sprite or Pepsi Max, E211 may cause damage to cells, which can result in such illnesses as cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.
If in certain locations and in certain periods of the year this species may cause damages to certain agricultural crops, Member States' authorities can apply several methods in order to prevent or minimise such damages.
We denounce the problems concerning access to humanitarian aid and the presence of foreign troops on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Al-Shabaab has confirmed the presence of foreign fighters within its ranks and has stated openly that it is working with al-Qaida in Mogadishu to remove the Government of Somalia.
MEPs state their "concern at the presence of foreign troops under the Gulf Cooperation Council banner in Bahrain".
Despite this, Soviet officials occupied Villa Lituania in the presence of the representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the police.
The debate will take place on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of the Chairman of the Council of Foreign Ministers, Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg.

Alternatives:

the presence of foreign materials can cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials might cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials could cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials is likely to cause damage to the consumer
the presence of foreign materials is capable of causing damage to the consumer

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The presence of foreign materials can cause damage to the consumer vs The presence of foreign materials may cause damage to the consumer