Which use of the verb cause is correct in the sentences below?

Question

Why does reserpine administration causes a decreases in vascular tone and blood pressure?

Why does reserpine administration cause a decreases in vascular tone and blood pressure?

It should be "Why does the administration cause decreases in vascular tone and blood pressure?" — AIQ, Oct 10 '19 at 16:57
Possible duplicate of Should I use 'is' or 'are' with this complex subject? — FumbleFingers, Oct 10 '19 at 17:01
Note that the use of "cause" seems a bit off, to me at least. Is this what you are trying to say: "Why does the administration reduce vascular tone and blood pressure?" — AIQ, Oct 10 '19 at 17:07
The answer to the "embodied" question is Reserpine lowers blood pressure by slowing down your nervous system. But you probably knew that. — FumbleFingers, Oct 10 '19 at 17:29

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 10 '19 at 22:35

1

This is a good question.

The correct verb form is cause. However, changing this to a statement we see:

Reserpine administration causes a decrease in vascular tone and blood pressure.

to which the response may well be your original phrase:

Why does reserpine administration cause a decrease in vascular tone and blood pressure?

In my statement causes is the main verb in the sentence and so is used in the third person singular form. (You can see more at this link).

In the follow up question it's no longer the main verb (does is the main verb) so we use the plain form of the verb.

More information on forms of verbs at this link.

Like I said, good question!

edited Oct 10 '19 at 22:35

Ronald Sole

answered Oct 10 '19 at 17:00

Lifelong Learner

You need to omit that "a" between "cause" and "decreases". – AIQ Oct 10 '19 at 17:04
@AIQ - thanks for your helpful comment - I have edited the answer. – Lifelong Learner Oct 10 '19 at 17:08
I think a "full" answer should explain *why* it's correct. Which is that the *conjugated* verb form is *does, so the "main" verb associated with that "auxiliary" verb should be in the [unmarked] infinitive* form - [to] cause**. – FumbleFingers Oct 10 '19 at 17:08
...my comment coincided with your edit. *Cause* here is an infinitive, not "third person singular form". – FumbleFingers Oct 10 '19 at 17:10
@FumbleFingers - thanks for your great comments. I stated that 'causes' is third person singular form (i.e.: conjugated) as that term appears on the link that I provided. – Lifelong Learner Oct 10 '19 at 17:13
My mistake. I didn't read the amended text carefully enough, and thought your *and so is used* part was explaining why the correct verb form for OP's context is *cause, not causes*. – FumbleFingers Oct 10 '19 at 17:34

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