Linking Words with Cause and Effect

• Before you go on to work on the grammar and writing exercises in this unit, read through this brief review of linking words and phrases for cause and effect.

• There are three main types of linking words: conjunctions, transitions, and prepositions:

Conjunctions

The most important conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. Because, as, and since introduce a cause; so introduces an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. They are often used like this:

First sentence conjunction second sentence.

•  I stayed at home because it was raining.

• It was raining, so I stayed at home. (use a comma before so)

You can also reverse the order of the sentences with because, as, and since:

•  Because it was raining, I stayed at home.

Note that this is not possible with so.

Transitions

The most important transitions are therefore, consequently, and as a result. All of these introduce an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. They are often used like this:

	First sentence; transition, second sentence.
	First sentence. Transition, second sentence.

•  It was raining; therefore, I stayed at home. 

• It was raining. Consequently, I stayed at home.

Prepositions

The most important prepositions are due to and because of. Both of these introduce a cause in the form of a noun phrase. They are often used like this:

	Sentence due to noun phrase.
	Because of noun phrase, sentence.

•  I stayed at home due to the rain. 

• Because of the rain, I stayed at home.

Edit : http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/570/pulp/hemp5.htm

Understanding Cause and Effect

      - A cause is something that makes something else happen. Out of two events, it is the event that happens first. To determine the cause, ask the question "Why Did it Happen?"


      - An effect is what happens as a result of the cause. Of two related events, it’s the one that happens second or last. To determine the effect, ask the question "What Happened?"

CAUSE	Effect
The boy kicked the ball.	The ball rolled.
The girl teased the cat.	The cat growled.
Sally studied hard for a test.	Sally earned an A on her test.
Joe became really tired.	Joe went to sleep early.

All online exercise

• At times connecting words are used to link the cause and effect.  Examples of connecting words are : because, so, consequently, therefore, due to the fact, since, as a result, the reason for, thus, nevertheless

• Practice selecting connecting wairds for sentences with this activity :

                         >>>Click here online exercise 1<<<
                         
                         >>>Click here online exercise 2<<<

Page.20 Understanding Cause and Effect

1. Tony was away from school as he was in the hospital.
2. Pen-chan was scared ,so she called for help.
3. There was a strike and the buses did not ply.
4. The plants died as there was no water.
5. Eric forgot his swimsuit and therefore could not swim.
6. The street lights were switched on ,so we could see our way.
7. The match was abandoned when it rained.
8. He lost control of his car as the brakes were faulty.

Causes	Effects	Linking word
he was in the hospital	Tony was away from school	as
Pen-chan was scared	She called for help	so
There was a strike	The buses did not ply	and
There was no water	The plants died	as
Eric forget his swimsuit	Therefore could not swim	and
The street light were switched on	We could see our way	so
It rained	The match was abandoned	when
The brakes were faulty	He lost control of his car	as



Page.18 Understanding Cause and Effect

E. Read the cause and write an effect. Then write one full sentence that states the cause and effect.

1. Cause: A storm hit the city.

    Effect: All the residents fled.

    Sentence: A storm hit the city, so all the residents fled.      

2. Cause: I planted some trees.

    Effect: I can see trees grow in the morning.

    Sentence:  I planted some trees, so I can see trees grow in the morning.

3. Cause: My sister stayed up past midnight.

    Effect: She get  up late in the morning.

    Sentence: My sister get up late in the morning because she stayed up past midnight.

4. Cause: Lena missed school on Monday.

    Effect: She  doesn’t   do  homework.

   Sentence: Lena doesn’t  do homework because she missed school on Monday.

5. Cause: David signed up for French classes.

   Effect: He doesn’t have time to play with friend.

  Sentence: David signed up for French classes, so he doesn’t have time to play with friend.