Cause and Effect

Cause & Effect

Linking words help us connect ideas. When talking about reasons and results, we divide these words into two groups:

• Cause (Reason): Explains why something happened.
• Effect (Result): Explains what happened as a consequence.

1. Expressing Cause (The Reason)

We use these words to introduce the reason. Be careful with the grammar: some are followed by a clause, others by a noun or gerund.

A. Followed by a Clause (Subject + Verb)

Common words: Because, Since, As.

Linker + Subject + Verb

We stayed at home because it was raining.
Since he was late, he missed the train.
As I am tired, I will go to bed early.

B. Followed by a Noun Phrase

Common words: Because of, Due to, Owing to.

Linker + Noun / The fact that...

We stayed at home because of the rain.
The flight was cancelled due to bad weather.
He succeeded owing to his hard work.

Conjunction ( + S + V )	Preposition + Noun
Because it was hot...	Because of the heat...
Since there was traffic...	Due to the traffic...
As she helped me...	Thanks to helping me...

C. Followed by a Gerund (Verb + -ing)

Since "because of", "due to", and "owing to" end with a preposition, they can also be followed by a Gerund. This turns an action into a noun phrase.

Linker + Gerund (Verb-ing)

He was fired because of stealing money.
She is tired due to working two jobs.
Owing to not having a car, he takes the bus.

Clause (Subject + Verb)	Gerund Phrase (Verb-ing)
Because he stole money...	Because of stealing money...
Since she works hard...	Due to working hard...
As he didn't have a car...	Owing to not having a car...

2. Expressing Effect (The Result)

We use these words to show the result of an action.

A. So (Conjunction)

Used in the middle of a sentence. It is common in spoken English.

It was raining, so we stayed at home.
He didn't study, so he failed the test.

B. Therefore / Consequently / Thus / For this reason (Transitions)

These are more formal. They usually start a new sentence or follow a semi-colon (;).

It was raining. Therefore, we stayed at home.
It was raining; therefore, we stayed at home.

The company lost money. Consequently, some staff were fired.
He broke his leg. As a result, he couldn't play in the final.

He didn't study enough. Thus, he failed the exam.
It is dangerous to swim here. For this reason, the beach is closed.

3. Formal vs. Informal Usage

Choosing the right word depends on who you are talking to.

Informal (Speaking/Texting)	Formal (Essays/Business)
So I was sick, so I didn't come.	Therefore / Thus I was ill; therefore, I was absent.
Because I did it because you asked.	As / Since As you requested, I have done it.
Because of Because of the rain...	Due to / Owing to Due to the inclement weather...

4. So... that / Such... that

We use these to express a cause and effect with emphasis.

SO + Adjective + THAT
SUCH + (Adjective) + Noun + THAT

The movie was so boring that I fell asleep.
It was such a boring movie that I fell asleep.

He is so fast that he always wins.
He is such a fast runner that he always wins.