Connectors

of Cause and
Effect
 Sentence connectors are words and phrases that
connect sentences to help with understanding. In
many grammar books, you will find information
about sentence connectors when reading about
subordinating conjunctions, coordinating
conjunctions and so on.
 Sentence connectors are also known as linking
language. This linking language can be used to
order what you have to say, show opposition,
provide clarification and so on.
 In many grammar books, you will find
information about sentence connectors when
reading about subordinating conjunctions,
coordinating conjunctions and so on.
 Sentence connectors improve your writing. They
add variety and sophistication to your style of
writing.

In this lesson we will learn about words and

expressions used to show cause and effect.

 In English, we use several different words to show

cause and effect. Examples are: for, because, as,
since, therefore, hence, as a result,
consequently, due to, because of, as a result of
etc.
 Examples:

He must be asleep for there is no light in his

room.
I decided to call it a day – for I was feeling tired.
I helped him because I liked him.
Since he had not paid the rent, he was told to
vacate the room.
As it is raining again, we will have to stay at
home.
It was raining, so we stayed at home.
 Notes:
 So shows the effect. As, since and because show
the cause.
Compare:
As he hasn’t arrived yet, we will have to go
without him.
He hasn’t arrived yet, so we will have to go
without him.
 The poor parents could not support the baby.
Therefore they sent him to an orphanage.
We had to cancel the trip due to my daughter’s
illness.
Owing to bad weather the match was cancelled.
We had to cancel the match because of bad
weather.
I was late owing to the fact that the train broke
down.
 Talking about causes and effects in
English
To express cause and effect in English, we us certain
words and phrases.
• due to • as a result of
• because of • because
• owing to • since
• thanks to • as
• as a consequence of • for
To express cause and effect, these words or
phrases will either be followed by a noun or a verb.
 Followed by a noun
These cause/effect phrases are followed by a noun
or noun phrase.

• due to • as a consequence of
• because of • as a result of
• owing to • thanks to
In the following examples, the noun or noun
phrase will be underlined.
 The cause always comes after the cause/effect
signal word or phrase.
 Signal word/phrase + Cause, + Effect
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause
Examples:
1. Due to John's laziness, he did not pass the
English test.

Signal phrase: Due to

Cause: John's laziness
Effect: He did not pass the test
 2.He failed the test because of his bad study
habits.

Signal phrase: Because of

Cause: His bad study habits
Effect: He failed the test
3. As a result of the rain, we canceled the picnic.

Signal phrase: As a result of

Cause: The rain
Effect: We canceled the picnic
 Followed by a verb
These cause/effect signal words are followed by a
subject + verb or verb phrase.
• because • as
• since • for
 In these examples, the subject + verb or verb
phrase is underlined.
 The cause comes after the cause/effect signal
word or phrase.
 Signal word/phrase + Cause, + Effect
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause

Examples:
1. Because John was lazy, he did not pass the
English test.

Signal word: Because

Cause: John was lazy
Effect: He did not pass the test
2. He failed the test because he did not study well.

Signal word: Because

Cause: He did not study well
Effect: He failed the test

3. The picnic was canceled since the rain was

coming.

Signal word: Since

Cause: The rain was coming
Effect: The picnic was canceled
 CAUSE:
Conjunctions followed by a complete sentence:

Because: it usually follows the main clause:

Everybody likes her because she’s very kind and
friendly.
As and since are very similar. As is less formal
than since. They are used when the reason is well
known. The clauses that start with these words
often begin the sentence:
As I was very tired, I went to bed early.
Since you are not interested, I won’t tell you about
it.
(As and since can also be used as time connectors).

 Connectors followed by a noun, a noun phrase, a

pronoun or a gerund:

Because of: I couldn’t play tennis because of the

heavy rain.
 Due to and owing to are considered by many
speakers as exact equivalents, but this is not so,
because due to is adjectival (it follows a noun or
pronoun), whereas owing to is adverbial (it
complements a verb). Compare these examples:
The game was cancelled owing to torrential rain.
The cancellation of the game was due to torrential
rain..
Owing to is interchangeable with because of: The
game was cancelled because of torrential rain.
As a result of : As a result of the rise in the number
of accidents, the government has decided to lower
the speed limit.
 EFFECT, RESULT or CONSEQUENCE
Therefore (formal, used mainly in written English):
Our teacher was ill. Therefore, we had to put off the
exam.
As a result: There has been a rise in the number of
accidents. As a result, the government has decided
to lower the speed limit.
Note:
 When you start a sentence with these words, you
need to put a comma after them.
 So (less formal): There was nothing on TV, so I
decided to go to bed.
That’s why: Cold temperatures kill mosquitos,
that’s why you won’t see them in winter.
For this reason: People helped. For this
reason, the children survived.
Consequently (used especially in written
English): People helped. Consequently, the children
survived.
Group 3
 Thank
You!!