Cause and Effect
The term cause and effect is a term you've heard since elementary school, but its use can be used up to the world of work. Sentences that contain elements of cause and effect usually involve an activity that makes something happen, and the result of that activity.
To better understand the use of causal sentences in English, consider the explanation below:
Cause
. (noun) someone or something that makes things happen.
The cause of the flood was the massive of amount garbage thrown in the river. (The cause of the flood was the large amount of garbage dumped into the river.)
. (verb) an activity that makes something happen.
The massive amount of garbage thrown in the river caused the flood. (The large amount of garbage dumped into the river caused this flood.)
Effect
. (noun) a change which is the result of an activity or cause.
The rain had an effect on her mood. (Rain has an effect on his mood.)
Affect
When effect is used as a verb it changes to affect.
. (verb) to produce an effect; cause something to happen.
The rain affected his mood. (Rain affects his mood.)
Cause and Effect Sentences in English
You can usually easily identify sentences that have a cause-and-effect relationship if they contain words or phrases such as:
- Due to
- Because of
- Owing to
- Thanks to
- As a consequence of
- As a result of
- Because
- Since
- As
- For
- etc.
For cause and effect expressions in English, the sentences or phrases above will usually follow a noun or verb.
A cause-and-effect sentence followed by a noun
- Because of
- Thanks to
- As a result of
- Due to
- As a consequence of
- Owing to
Causal words that are followed by a noun or noun phrase usually use a word or phrase (signal word / phase) such as:
In the next example the noun or noun phrase will be underlined. Cause or cause is always written after the causal phrase (signal word / phase) like the example above. Below are common patterns:
Signal word / phrase + Cause + Effect
or
Effect + signal word / phrase + cause
Example:
1. Because Bella is nervous, she doesn't pass the driving test.
Because of Bella's nervousness, she doesn't pass her driving test.
Signal phrase: because
Cause: Bella is nervous
Effect: He doesn't pass the driving test
2. He is always late due to his playing habits
He's always late because of his gaming habits.
Signal phrase: Because
Cause: His playing habits
Effect: He's always late
3. Due to the rain, we canceled outings.
Because of the rain, we canceled the picnic.
Signal phrase: As a result of
Cause: rain
Effect: we canceled outings
4. Dennis can't sing because of his sore throat
Dennis couldn't sing because of his sore throat
Signal phrase: because
Cause: sore throat
Effect: Dennis can't sing
5. He was dismissed as a result of ignorance
He was dismissed for his ignorance.
Signal phrase: as a consequence of
Cause: ignorance
Effect: He was fired
Causal sentence followed by a verb
Causal words followed by a subject + verb or verb phrase usually use a word or phrase (signal word / phase) such as:
Because
Since
US
For
In the next example the subject + verb or verb phrase will be underlined. Cause or cause is always written after the causal phrase (signal word / phase) as in the example above. Below are common patterns:
Signal word / phrase + Cause + Effect
or
Effect + Signal word / phrase + Cause
Example:
1. Because Bella was nervous, she did not pass the driving test
Because Bella is nervous, she doesn't pass the driving test.
Signal phrase: because
Cause: Bella was nervous
Effect: She did not pass the driving test
2. He's always late because he always stay up at night
He's always late because he's always staying up late
Signal phrase: Because
Cause: he always stay up at night
Effect: He's always late
3. The outing was canceled since it's raining
The picnic was canceled due to rain.
Signal phrase: since
Cause: it's raining
Effect: the outing was canceled
4. Dennis could not sing for his throat is afternoon
Dennis couldn't sing because of his sore throat
Signal phrase: for
Cause: his throat is afternoon
Effect: Dennis could not sing
5. She was dismissed as a consequence of her ignorance
He was dismissed for his ignorance.
Signal phrase: as a consequence of
Cause: her ignorance
Effect: She was dismissed
and this is a youtube link about cause and effect :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgLn4f0zDQ
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