Induce vs. Cause — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Induce" refers to stimulating or bringing about an effect or action, often through indirect or complex means, while "cause" denotes a direct or straightforward reason behind an event.
Difference Between Induce and Cause
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Induce" typically implies a process of influence or persuasion that leads to an effect or state, often involving indirect or subtle mechanisms. On the other hand, "cause" is used to refer to something that directly makes something else happen, usually seen as a more immediate and straightforward connection.
While induction often involves a sequence of events or conditions that lead to a result, such as inducing labor in medicine or inducing a current in physics, causing is generally more singular and direct, such as a specific event leading to a specific outcome. Conversely, causes are often identifiable and can be pinpointed in a chain of events, whereas inducement might involve several steps or a broader range of factors.
In usage, "to induce" can also have a connotation of persuasion or encouragement, such as inducing someone to make a decision. Whereas, "to cause" simply states the origin of an effect without implying any persuasion, often used in scientific and factual contexts.
Inducing is sometimes associated with controlled or desired outcomes, especially in scientific experiments or medical contexts where conditions are created to bring about a certain result. In contrast, causing can occur in both controlled and uncontrolled environments, often simply observed rather than orchestrated.
Both terms play significant roles in discussions involving responsibility and effects, but "induce" might suggest a more complex relationship between actions and their outcomes compared to the more direct implications of "cause."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To bring about or stimulate the occurrence of something through indirect, complex means.
To directly make something happen.
Connotation
Often implies a deliberate or planned action.
More neutral, indicating a straightforward relationship.
Examples
Inducing labor, inducing a chemical reaction.
A storm causing flooding, a collision causing damage.
Complexity
Involves multiple factors or a process.
Usually involves a direct and clear link.
Usage in Sentences
"The doctor may decide to induce labor if it's deemed necessary."
"The ice on the road caused several accidents."
Compare with Definitions
Induce
To stimulate or bring about an action or state, especially by artificial means.
Medications can induce sleep in patients suffering from insomnia.
Cause
Used broadly across all disciplines to denote the source of an effect.
The earthquake caused significant damage to the infrastructure.
Induce
Often associated with controlled or experimental settings.
Researchers induce stress in subjects to study its effects on cognition.
Cause
Fundamental in establishing accountability or legal liability.
Negligence was the cause of the workplace accident.
Induce
Can be synonymous with prompting or causing under certain circumstances, but with an emphasis on methodology.
Certain frequencies of light can induce photosynthesis in plants.
Cause
The reason something happens, typically referring to a direct link.
Smoking is a major cause of lung disease.
Induce
Used in various scientific contexts to describe the initiation of processes.
The laboratory conditions were set to induce crystallization.
Cause
Does not imply persuasion but rather a natural or logical consequence.
Her quick reaction caused her to avoid the accident.
Induce
May imply an element of persuasion or influence.
The advertisement was designed to induce consumers to buy the new product.
Cause
Often part of causal research in sciences to establish correlations or causations.
Researchers study behavioral data to identify causes of stress.
Induce
Succeed in persuading or leading (someone) to do something
The pickets induced many workers to stay away
Cause
Because.
Induce
Bring about or give rise to
None of these measures induced a change of policy
Cause
The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.
Induce
Bring on (the birth of a baby) artificially, typically by the use of drugs
Induced labour
Cause
The one, such as a person, event, or condition, that is responsible for an action or result.
Induce
Derive by inductive reasoning
From the experimental evidence, one infers or induces the hypothesis
Cause
A basis for an action or response; a reason
The doctor's report gave no cause for alarm.
Induce
To lead or move, as to a course of action, by influence or persuasion.
Cause
A goal or principle served with dedication and zeal
“the cause of freedom versus tyranny” (Hannah Arendt).
Induce
To bring about or stimulate the occurrence of; cause
A drug used to induce labor.
Cause
The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle
“The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind” (Thomas Paine).
Induce
To infer by inductive reasoning.
Cause
A lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
Induce
To produce (an electric current or a magnetic charge) by induction.
Cause
The ground or basis for a lawsuit.
Induce
To produce (radioactivity, for example) artificially by bombardment of a substance with neutrons, gamma rays, and other particles.
Cause
A subject under debate or discussion.
Induce
(Biochemistry) To initiate or increase the production of (an enzyme or other protein) at the level of genetic transcription.
Cause
To be the cause of or reason for; result in.
Induce
(Genetics) To cause an increase in the transcription of the RNA of (a gene).
Cause
To bring about or compel by authority or force
The moderator invoked a rule causing the debate to be ended.
Induce
(transitive) To lead by persuasion or influence; incite or prevail upon.
Cause
The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.
They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding.
Induce
(transitive) To cause, bring about, lead to.
His meditation induced a compromise.
Opium induces sleep.
Cause
Sufficient reason for a state, as of emotion.
There is no cause for alarm.
The end of the war was a cause for celebration.
Induce
(physics) To cause or produce (electric current or a magnetic state) by a physical process of induction.
Cause
(countable) A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends.
Induce
To infer by induction.
Cause
(obsolete) Sake; interest; advantage.
Induce
To lead in, bring in, introduce.
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair.
Induce
To draw on, place upon. en
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Induce
To lead in; to introduce.
The poet may be seen inducing his personages in the first Iliad.
Cause
(transitive) To set off an event or action.
The lightning caused thunder.
Induce
To draw on; to overspread.
Cause
(ditransitive) To actively produce as a result, by means of force or authority.
His dogged determination caused the fundraising to be successful.
Induce
To lead on; to influence; to prevail on; to incite; to persuade; to move by persuasion or influence.
He is not obliged by your offer to do it, . . . though he may be induced, persuaded, prevailed upon, tempted.
Let not the covetous desire of growing rich induce you to ruin your reputation.
Cause
(obsolete) To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Induce
To bring on; to effect; to cause; as, a fever induced by fatigue or exposure; anaphylactic shock induced by exposure to a allergen.
Sour things induces a contraction in the nerves.
Cause
Alternative form of 'cause; because
Induce
To produce, or cause, by proximity without contact or transmission, as a particular electric or magnetic condition in a body, by the approach of another body in an opposite electric or magnetic state.
Cause
That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be.
Induce
To generalize or conclude as an inference from all the particulars; - the opposite of deduce.
Cause
That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
Induce
To cause the expression of (a gene or gene product) by affecting a transcription control element on the genome, either by inhibiting a negative control or by activating a positive control; to derepress; as, lactose induces the production of beta-galactosidase in Eschericia coli..
Cause
Sake; interest; advantage.
I did it not for his cause.
Induce
Cause to arise;
Induce a crisis
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Induce
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
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
What counsel give you in this weighty cause!
Induce
Cause to occur rapidly;
The infection precipitated a high fever and allergic reactions
Cause
The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
God befriend us, as our cause is just.
The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.
Induce
Reason or establish by induction
Cause
To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; - usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.
I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.
Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
Induce
Produce electric current by electrostatic or magnetic processes
Cause
To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Cause
Abbreviation of Because.
Cause
Events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something;
They are trying to determine the cause of the crash
Cause
A justification for something existing or happening;
He had no cause to complain
They had good reason to rejoice
Cause
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
Cause
Any entity that causes events to happen
Cause
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
Cause
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;
Cause a commotion
Make a stir
Cause an accident
Cause
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
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to induce an effect?
To bring about or initiate an effect through specific actions or stimuli, often in a controlled or deliberate manner.
Can something induce itself?
Typically, induction involves external factors or conditions influencing a process or state, not self-induction.
Is inducing always intentional?
Inducing often implies intentionality, especially in medical or scientific contexts, but it can also occur in natural processes under the right conditions.
What are common examples of causes in everyday life?
Common examples include weather causing changes in traffic patterns, or mechanical failures causing equipment breakdowns.
How is "induce" used in medical terminology?
In medicine, "induce" often refers to initiating processes like labor or anesthesia, typically involving deliberate and controlled methods.
Can the consequences of inducing or causing something be the same?
Yes, both actions can lead to the same outcome, but the routes to reaching that outcome might differ in complexity and intent.
What legal implications does "cause" have?
In legal contexts, establishing a cause is crucial for determining liability or fault in cases ranging from accidents to malpractice.
What is the role of causality in scientific research?
Causality establishes relationships between variables, essential for understanding and predicting phenomena in scientific studies.
How does a cause differ from a reason?
A cause is a direct instigator of an event, while a reason can be more subjective, explaining why something was done or occurred.
Is understanding the cause important in troubleshooting?
Yes, identifying the cause is fundamental in troubleshooting as it helps in correcting and preventing future issues.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
