What Does "bring about" Mean?
- The phrasal verb "bring about" means to cause something to happen or to make something exist. It implies a degree of effort or influence in the process.
- The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "bring" generally means to carry or convey, and "about" suggests around or near, their combination takes on a specific causal meaning not immediately obvious from the individual words.
- The register is generally neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication, but can also be used in everyday conversation.
How to Use It
- Grammatical pattern: verb + particle + noun (object). "Bring" is the verb, "about" is the particle, and a noun phrase follows as the object of the phrasal verb.
- Typical objects include: change, awareness, improvement, competition, justice, peace, decentralization, truth, reform, apocalypse.
- The components of "bring about" cannot be separated. You cannot insert words between "bring" and "about".
- What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong preposition (e.g., "bring on"), using the wrong verb (e.g., "make about"), or separating the phrasal verb (e.g., "bring quickly about").
Real-World Examples
"Then we will bring about big changes"." — The New York Times
"Neither would be easy to bring about." — The Economist
"What it does is bring about awareness"." — The New York Times
"We want to bring about lasting improvement"." — The Guardian
"Can the Americans help bring about justice?" — The Guardian
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/bring+about
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| cause |
A more general and versatile term; can be used in various contexts. |
| create |
Implies bringing something new into existence. |
| generate |
Suggests producing or originating something, often in a systematic way. |
| effect |
More formal; emphasizes the achievement of a result. |
| produce |
Focuses on the outcome or result of an action or process. |
| instigate |
Suggests initiating or provoking something, often something controversial. |
| spark |
Implies triggering or initiating something, often suddenly or unexpectedly. |
Common Mistakes
- Using the wrong preposition: Incorrectly using prepositions like "on" or "up" instead of "about" (e.g., "bring on change" instead of "bring about change").
- Separating the phrasal verb: Inserting words between "bring" and "about" (e.g., "bring quickly about"). Remember that "bring about" is inseparable.
- Confusing with similar phrasal verbs: Learners often confuse "bring about" with similar phrasal verbs like "bring up" (to raise a topic or a child) or "bring in" (to introduce or earn). These have different meanings.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Meaning |
Grammatical Pattern |
Register |
| bring about |
To cause something to happen; to make something exist. |
bring about + noun |
Neutral to Formal |
FAQs
Can the words "bring" and "about" be separated in the phrasal verb "bring about"?
No, the components of the phrasal verb "bring about" cannot be separated. It's incorrect to insert words between "bring" and "about," as it disrupts the established meaning and grammatical structure. The phrase must remain intact to function correctly.
How is "bring about" different from simply using the verb "cause"?
While both "bring about" and "cause" indicate that something leads to a result, "bring about" often implies more effort or influence in making something happen. "Cause" is a more general term, while "bring about" suggests a more active role in initiating or facilitating the outcome.
What's a common mistake people make when using "bring about," and how can I avoid it?
A common mistake is confusing "bring about" with similar phrasal verbs like "bring up." To avoid this, remember that "bring about" means to cause something to happen, while "bring up" means to raise a topic or a child. Pay close attention to the context to choose the correct phrasal verb.