…，致使…
causing; with the result that (of bad results)
Structure
原因 ， 致使 结果（多为不好的结果）
What it means
Links a cause to the harm it did: “causing; with the result that”. The result is a bad one: an accident, a loss, an illness.
How it is built
Cause，致使 + result clause, or 致使 + person + verb: 连日暴雨致使多条公路中断 (Days of torrential rain have cut off several roads); 致使十几人受伤.
When to use it
Formal and written: reports, court judgments, news. In speech say 让 or 结果. 导致 is close but also takes a plain noun (导致事故); 以致 is close too and also mostly negative.
Watch out
Do not use it for a good result: ✗他努力学习，致使成绩提高了。 ✓他努力学习，成绩提高了。
Examples
奶粉被掺入三聚氰胺，致使数十万婴幼儿受到伤害。
Melamine was mixed into milk powder, with the result that hundreds of thousands of infants were harmed.
连日暴雨致使多条公路中断。
Days of torrential rain have cut off several roads.
药厂管理混乱，致使一批过期药品流入了市场。
The drug company was badly run, and as a result a batch of out-of-date medicine found its way onto the market.
Learn this in Lesson 140 · HSK 7–9: 一罐奶粉 (A can of milk powder)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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