# What is the word for....
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 29, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477 "2004-07-29T19:06:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/1 "2004-07-29T19:06:27Z")
“to cause to occur” or “to bring into existence”.
The sentence I’m working with is along these lines:
“…the aluminium foil tends to bring into existence creases and sharp edges”
I could just use “form”, but I’m sure there’s a word for what I’m trying to express.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/2 "2004-07-29T19:12:06Z")
What’s wrong with “create”?
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### Author:  [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/3 "2004-07-29T19:12:35Z")
Causes?
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### Author:  [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/4 "2004-07-29T19:15:09Z")
How about “tends to promote”? Or “engenders the formation of”?
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### Author:  [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/5 "2004-07-29T19:16:52Z")
“Generate” perhaps?
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### Author:  [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/6 "2004-07-29T19:24:06Z")
“Effect”, as a verb, is almost exactly what you need. However, I think what’s tripping you up is that you’re using this in a reflexive context - is it the aluminum foil that’s becoming creased & sharp-edged? If so, I would just say “The aluminum foil tends to become creased & sharp-edged.”
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### Author:  [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/7 "2004-07-29T19:35:33Z")
Yes, I’m using it in the reflective sense. “Because” works nicely.
(“effect”, I think, was the word I had in mind)
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/8 "2004-07-29T19:43:10Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#):
>
> “to cause to occur” or “to bring into existence”.
>
> The sentence I’m working with is along these lines:
>
> “…the aluminium foil tends to bring into existence creases and sharp edges”
>
> I could just use “form”, but I’m sure there’s a word for what I’m trying to express.
Establish? Form? Spawn? Produce? Initiate? Make? Beget?
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/9 "2004-07-29T19:47:39Z")
Promulgates.
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### Author:  [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/10 "2004-07-29T20:18:23Z")
I like “conjures”
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/11 "2004-07-30T01:08:20Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> Promulgates.
I think this one doesn’t really fit in this instance:
> [@](#):
>
> Promulgate:
>
> 1. To make known (a decree, for example) by public declaration; announce officially. See Synonyms at announce.
> 2. To put (a law) into effect by formal public announcement.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2004, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/12 "2004-07-30T01:40:47Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#):
>
> “to cause to occur” or “to bring into existence”.
>
> The sentence I’m working with is along these lines:
>
> “…the aluminium foil tends to bring into existence creases and sharp edges”
>
> I could just use “form”, but I’m sure there’s a word for what I’m trying to express.
the aluminium foil tends to **develop** creases and sharp edges.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2004, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/13 "2004-07-30T01:44:02Z")
the aluminium foil tends to **become** creased and sharp-edged.
the aluminium foil tends to **engender** creases and sharp edges.
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### Author:  [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/14 "2004-07-30T11:47:22Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#):
>
> “to cause to occur” or “to bring into existence”.
>
> The sentence I’m working with is along these lines:
>
> “…the aluminium foil tends to bring into existence creases and sharp edges”
>
> I could just use “form”, but I’m sure there’s a word for what I’m trying to express.
I think we need to be more clear on just what you’re trying to say. It sounds you’re trying to get across something more abstract/philosophical than “Aluminum foil creases.” Are you trying to establish a metaphorical causal relationship between the mere existence of foil and its becoming creased? A la entropy? Obviously we know that aluminum foil doesn’t “cause” creases although aluminum foil does give creases a medium in which to occur. Can you be more specific about your intent? Also, does the general context concern aluminum foil or creases?
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### Author:  [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for/257477/15 "2004-07-30T12:41:25Z")
“…the aluminium foil tends to **become** creased and sharp-edged” sounds best to me, but
“…the aluminium foil tends to **get** creases and sharp edges” works as well.