BROUGHT ABOUT

Human Communication

"The cycle of life's complexities is often driven by questions of change, wondering what has truly been brought about in time's passage."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'brought about' means to cause something to happen or to make a change occur. It implies an action or event that results in a new situation, outcome, or state of affairs.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'brought about' means to cause something to happen or to make a change occur. It implies an action or event that results in a new situation, outcome, or state of affairs.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
This phrasal verb cannot be separated; the object must follow it.
Register
Neutral
It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple bring about They hope to bring about significant policy changes.
Past Simple brought about The new policy brought about noticeable improvements.
Present Continuous bringing about The team is bringing about positive changes within the organization.
Present Perfect have brought about The reforms have brought about a sense of stability.

💡 When to Use

Discussing historical change
Use 'brought about' to describe significant shifts that occur due to historical events or actions.
Example: "The Renaissance brought about a revolution in art and science."
Explaining causation
Utilize it to explain a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the cause of a particular outcome.
Example: "The strategy brought about an increase in sales."
Describing societal changes
Use it to refer to changes in social norms or practices due to specific events or movements.
Example: "The civil rights movement brought about major societal changes."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Tense confusion
❌ Wrong: The changes bringed about new challenges.
✅ Correct: The changes brought about new challenges.
💡 Tip: Remember, 'brought' is the past form, not 'bringed'.
Object placement
❌ Wrong: They brought new policies about.
✅ Correct: They brought about new policies.
💡 Tip: Place the object immediately after 'brought about'.
Incorrect verb form
❌ Wrong: They are brings about changes.
✅ Correct: They are bringing about changes.
💡 Tip: Use 'bringing' in the continuous form.
Practice

BROUGHT ABOUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The industrial revolution brought about massive urbanization and lifestyle changes.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    Technological advancements have brought about unprecedented connectivity worldwide.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    The unexpected storm brought about severe damage to coastal areas.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

cause lead to

Antonyms

prevent

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The new policy has ___ significant shifts in the market."

brings about
brought about
bringing about
brings

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Brought About

What is the origin of brought about?

+
The phrase 'brought about' originates from Old English and Middle English, combining 'bring' and 'abuton', indicating a causative action resulting in change.

Can brought about be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'brought about' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, effectively conveying causation across various subjects and discussions.

What is the difference between brought about and cause?

+
'Brought about' often implies a more active or deliberate action causing change, while 'cause' can be used for both intentional and unintentional outcomes.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

lead toresult ingive rise totrigger offset off
Browse All Words Multiplied Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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