bring about

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/brɪŋ əˈbaʊt/
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To make a result happen or turn a vessel onto a new course.
Practice using bring about in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The new law brought about major reforms.
  • The accident brought about a review of safety rules.
  • The captain ordered the crew to bring the ship about.
  • Small daily choices can bring about real progress.
  • They brought the vessel about before the storm hit.

Similar words

cause
change course
lead to
make happen
produce
tack
turn the vessel

Meanings

Cause a result

change
neutral
To cause a change, event or result to happen.

Examples

  • The talks brought about a lasting agreement.
  • What changes could bring about cleaner air?
  • The new law brought about major reforms.
  • Small daily choices can bring about real progress.
  • The accident brought about a review of safety rules.

Similar words

cause
produce
lead to
make happen

Turn a vessel

sailing
archaic
In traditional sailing language, to turn a vessel around onto a different heading.

Examples

  • The captain ordered the crew to bring the ship about.
  • They brought the vessel about before the storm hit.
  • Could you bring the boat about without losing speed?
  • A shift in wind forced them to bring the schooner about.
  • The crew slowly brought her about to face the wind.

Similar words

turn the vessel
tack
change course

Etymology

In the common sense, bring presents a result and about marks its arrival. In the sailing sense, about means around to a new heading.

FAQ

What does bring about mean?

Usually it means to cause an event or change to happen.

Can a policy bring about change?

Yes. It can cause the change to occur.

Is bring about separable?

Yes. In the sailing use, an object can appear between bring and about.

Does bring about have a sailing use?

Yes. Traditionally it can mean to turn a vessel onto another heading.

Is the sailing sense of bring about common?

No. It is specialized and old-fashioned compared with the everyday cause sense.

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