4.8: The Language of Cause and Effect
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The Language and Cause and Effect
Below are some of the most common language structures used in cause/effect writing. As you review them, pay attention to the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective) and the preposition used in each structure.
The Language of Cause |
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I. Coordinator: |
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for |
Citizens must have a good education, for without educated voters democracy is impossible. |
II. Subordinating Conjunctions: |
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because since as |
Working students often have poor diets because their work and school schedules prevent regular meals. Since technology has proven beneficial in the classroom, more schools have dedicated money to computer labs. |
III. Verbs: |
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to result from to be affected by to be caused by to attribute A to B to be attributed to to blame A for B |
A number of childhood diseases result from improper nutrition. A child’s physical development can be negatively affected by poor nutrition. Scientists attribute climate change to human activity. Some people blame immigrants for unemployment. |
IV. Nouns: |
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to be the result of (cause) to be the effect of (cause) to be the consequence of (cause) |
Effective marketing strategies are the result of good research. |
V. Other Words and Structures: |
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due to because of as a result of to be a factor in to play a role in |
Due to the years-long drought, the government put a ban on watering of lawns. Alcohol is a factor in numerous car accidents every year. |
The Language of Effects |
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I. Coordinator: |
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so |
Good students are aware of the demands of work outside of the classroom, so they plan their weekly schedules carefully. |
II. Conjunctive Adverbs: |
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As a result, As a consequence, Consequently, Therefore, Thus, Hence, |
The average temperature at the north and south poles has increased. As a result, massive amounts of ice have broken away from the ice caps. |
III. Verbs: |
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to result in to lead to to cause to affect to impact to change to contribute to to bring about to be responsible for |
Lowering the number of students in a classroom results in better learning. After school tutoring programs contribute to student success.
Warmer temperatures are responsible for the melting of massive glaciers. |
IV. Nouns: |
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to be the cause of to be the reason for to have an effect on to have an impact on |
Support from a supervisor often has a positive effect on a worker’s productivity. |
V. Other Words and Structures: |
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thereby (+ gerund) |
The citrus farms were severely damaged by the cold, thereby causing a sharp increase in the price of some fruits. |
Read the following sentences to highlight the signal words. Underline the causes.
1. The difference between income and housing costs has created a crisis of unaffordable housing options.
2. Real estate developers purchase properties and build luxury apartments throughout the city, thereby making it difficult for residents of average income to find affordable housing.
3. Economists attribute the 2008 economic recession to the unregulated housing market.
4. Homelessness results in health conditions that make people vulnerable to contagious diseases like COVID 19.
5. Secure housing can lead to better health and emotional resilience.
Read the following sentences to highlight the signal words. Underline the effects.
1. Every year in the U.S. there are about a thousand tornadoes, thereby causing millions of dollars of damage and the death of over 70 people.
2. Tornadoes are extremely destructive and result in damaged houses, cars and businesses.
3. Strong winds in a tornado are responsible for flipping over cars or lifting them to another area.
4. Scientists have improved forecasting and warning systems for tornadoes; as a result, the number of deaths has decreased.
5. The National Weather Service monitors storms with a Doppler radar; consequently, tornado warnings can be issued in a timely manner.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate signal words from the box. Pay attention to the grammar and punctuation needed to make the sentence correct.
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due to |
the result of |
because |
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contribute to |
results in |
a positive effect |
1. Genetic variants may ____________ a pattern of obesity in a family.
2. Weight gain can be ____________ medications such as antidepressants.
3. Obesity ____________ challenges to mental health and self-esteem.
4. Regular visits to green spaces such as parks, forests, and rural areas have ____________ on people’s moods and sense of well-being.
5. ____________ a dangerous or polluted community environment, residents may find it difficult to engage in physical activity outside.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate signal words to show the cause-effect relationship. Pay attention to the grammar and punctuation needed to make the sentence correct.
1. Many people do not have a basic understanding of how the internet works, ________ they do not know that their personal online privacy is often compromised.
2. A lot of time spent using electronic devices ____________ the students’ ability to socialize in a face to face environment.
3. Reading aloud to children has a positive ___________ their ability to learn to read.
4. The overall health of a nation is directly linked to the health of the population. __________, governments need to take measures to ensure the people are healthy.
5. Good nutrition and mental health go hand in hand. For example, a deficiency in vitamin B9 (found in leafy greens, legumes, and grains) can ________________ irritability, apathy, depression and other issues.
6. Researchers have found that the area of the brain associated with motor skills was greatly _____________ in children who had regular practice of a musical instrument.
The following adjectives are useful when describing the cause or effect more specifically. Choose five of the following and write a sentence that identifies a specific kind of cause or effect. Think of situations when these specific words would be appropriate.
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Describing the Cause |
Describing the Effect |
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the main cause of a major cause of an underlying cause of the principle cause of a common cause of a direct link between a strong correlation between an unknown cause |
a major/ significant / insignificant / profound / dramatic / serious effect on a minimal / insignificant effect on an unexpected / unforeseen / surprising effect on a lasting effect on a calming effect on |
Example: A common cause of obesity is a lack of physical activity.
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
Attributions:
Content on this page was adapted from ESL Academic Writing(opens in new window), which was shared under a CC BY (opens in new window)license by Prince George's Community College.