LCH1109 Preparing for IELTS Grammar: Expressing Purpose, Cause and Effect

Grammar: Expressing Purpose, Cause and Effect

Example The law was introduced with the intention of encouraging more young people into
1 higher education.
Express purpose: with the intention/purpose/aim of
Example The purpose of the experiment was to see whether the disease had a genetic
2 component.
Express purpose: the purpose/aim/intention (of …) is/was to
Example The entrance was altered so as to make wheelchair access easier.
3 Express purpose: so as to / in order to
Example He studies at night so (that) he can work during the day.
4 Express purpose: so / so that
Example The cause of children’s failure to learn math is often poor teaching at school.
5 Express cause: The cause of X is/was …
Example The increase in unemployment has been caused by the financial crisis.
6 Express cause: X is/was caused by …
Example Some people argue that children are neglected due to their parents working long
7 hours.
Express cause: due to / owning to / because of
Example The Tate Gallery held an exhibition of Antony’s work with the result that it instantly
8 became more valuable.
Express effect: with the result/consequence/effect that …
Example The cave paintings were discovered 20 years ago, and in consequence, the whole
9 area now attracts more tourists.
Express effect: in consequence / as a consequence / consequently
Examples The large numbers of people visiting the cave have resulted in deterioration of the
10 – 11 paintings.
The large numbers of people visiting the cave have resulted in the paintings fading
and losing their fresh, bright colors.
Express effect: result in + noun/verb + -ing
Examples We should book a hotel room in advance, otherwise we may have to sleep in the
12 – 13 railway station.
Fortunately, the hotel had free room, otherwise we would have had to sleep in the
railway station.
Use ‘otherwise’ to express an alternative effect
Examples Copernicus realized that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and this changed the
14 – 15 way people saw the Universe.
Copernicus realized that the Earth revolves around the Sun, changing the way people
saw the Universe.
‘this’ = ‘Copernicus realized that the Earth revolves around the Sun’
‘Copernicus realized that the Earth revolves around the Sun’ = subject of ‘changing’
‘changing the way people saw the Universe’ = participle clause (dependent clause)
= express consequence
‘this changed the way people saw the Universe’ = independent clause = express
consequence

Reference: Brook-Hart, G., & Jakeman, V. (2013). Complete IELTS bands 6.5-7.5 student’s book
with answers. Cambridge University Press. (pp.113-114, 121)
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