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Linking words of cause and result

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Exercise 1

1. Linking words of cause and result

The linking words of cause introduce a sentence that tells the cause or reason why an action occurs. The linking words of result introduce a sentence that expresses the consequence or effect of the cause.

LINKING WORDS OF CAUSE

The road has been closed due to snow.

LINKING WORDS OF RESULT

There was a traffic jam. That's why I'm late.

2. Different linking words of cause

We have different words to introduce a cause or a reason why something happens. They can be used interchangeably:

Linking word	Examples
AS	As I was late, I took a taxi.
SINCE	You need a jacket since it's cold at night.
SEEING THAT	Seeing that it's so hot, we'll take a parasol.
BECAUSE OF	The race was postponed because of the rain.
DUE TO	Public transport is often late due to heavy traffic.
OWING TO	Several airports are closed owing to fog.

Since the judge is here, the trial can start.

Some flights have been cancelled owing to the strike.

3. Different linking words of result

We have different words to introduce a sentence that expresses the consequence or effect caused by a sentence that expresses cause:

Linking word	Examples
SO	His behaviour was unacceptable, so he was expelled.
THAT'S WHY	My cousin appears in this soap opera, that's why I watch it.
AS A RESULT	There were road works and as a result, there were traffic jams.
THEREFORE	You might need legal advice, therefore, I'll give you my lawyer’s number.
FOR THIS REASON	Loads of people will attend the concert. For this reason, we want to provide more access.
CONSEQUENTLY	We are under a lot of pressure and, consequently our level of stress increases.
ACCORDINGLY	We wanted to reduce pollution. Accordingly, we launched a recycling campaign.

So and that's why are more informal and more commonly used in spoken English, while the others are used in a more formal language.

There have been robberies, that's why we have installed an alarm.

There was a big fire, consequently people had to be evacuated.

Remember!

Linking words of cause		Linking words of result
AS	We're going home as it's late.	SO	Autumn is here, so the leaves are falling off the trees.
SINCE	He works in London since his family live there.	THAT'S WHY	The baby is hungry, that's why he's crying.
SEEING THAT	Seeing that public transport is expensive I bought a bike.	AS A RESULT	He didn't study hard and as a result, he failed his exams.
BECAUSE OF	We looked for shelter because of the storm.	THEREFORE	The police suspected of the man, therefore, they arrested him.
DUE TO	Due to his experience he got the job.	FOR THIS REASON	Eating fruit and vegetables is essential. For this reason, we should all eat 5 a day.
OWING TO	The school is closed owing to storm damage.	CONSEQUENTLY	He always drives too fast, consequently, he gets lots of fines.

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