Skip to main content
Humanities LibreTexts

3.8: The Language of Cause and Effect

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    174294

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    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.

    Structures and Vocabulary to Express Causes

    The Language of Cause

    I. Coordinator

    for

    Citizens must have a good education, for without educated voters democracy is impossible.

    II. Subordinating Conjunctions:

    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:

    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:

    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:

    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.
    Exercise 4

    Read the following sentences to highlight the cause 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 COVID19.

    5. Secure housing can lead to better health and emotional resilience.

    Exercise 5

    Fill in the blanks with appropriate cause signal words from the box. Pay attention to the grammar and punctuation needed to make the sentence correct.

    Signal Words for Exercise 5

    due to

    the result of

    because

    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.

    Exercise 6

    Edit these sentences looking carefully at the use of the cause signal words:

    1. Since some places are in a drought, as a result there is extreme fire danger in those forests.

    2. Because of some places are in drought, many crops require extra irrigation.

    3. Global warming which creates melting ice in the arctic and warmer water in the oceans.

    4. Tornadoes are increasing in number and size the destruction in property is costly for states and residents.

    5. Warmer water in the oceans results from stronger rain during hurricanes.

    Structures to Express Effects

    The Language of Effects

    I. Coordinator

    so

    Good students are aware of the demands of work outside of the classroom, so they plan their weekly schedules carefully.

    II. Conjunctive Adverbs

    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

    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:

    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

    thereby (+ gerund)

    The citrus farms were severely damaged by the cold, thereby causing a sharp increase in the price of some fruits.
    Exercise 7

    Highlight the effect 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.

    Exercise 8

    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.

    Exercise 9

    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.

    Describing Causes and Effects

    Describing the Cause

    Describing the Effect

    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. ___________________________________________________________________

    3.8: The Language of Cause and Effect is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    1. Back to top
    • Was this article helpful?

    Recommended articles

    1. Article type
      Section or Page
      License
      CC BY
    2. Tags
      This page has no tags.