bring / bring about

[kiranlegend]

Positive thoughts bring about positive changes.

Positive thoughts bring positive changes.

It seems that the first one is the accepted form. Why can't I just use the plain verb 'bring' instead of the phrasal verb 'bring about'? I'm not able to discern the differences between them. Please help.

Thanks much for your advanced response.

Kiran

[Ann1977]

Positive thoughts bring about positive changes.

Positive thoughts bring positive changes.

It seems that the first one is the accepted form. Why can't I just use the plain verb 'bring' instead of the phrasal verb 'bring about'? I'm not able to discern the differences between them. Please help.

Thanks much for your advanced response.

Kiran

"Bring about" does not mean the same thing as "bring."

"Bring about" means "cause to happen, cause to exist."

"Bring" means to "carry."

Since "bring" is not only close to "bring about," and since it also has some sense of "convey" or "lead," saying "Positive thoughts bring positive changes" is not impossible. Certainly anyone would understand you.

But you can't "bring about" your laptop to the airport.