Expressions of Causes and Effects

The most common linking words of causes and effects are as follow:
Causes Effects
a. Coordinating Conjunction : for a. Coordinating Conjunction : so
b. Subordinating Conjunction : because, b. Conjunctive Adverbs : therefore, thus,
since, as hence, consequently
c. Prepositional Phrase : because of, due to c. Prepositional Phrase : as a result, as a
consequence

Expressing Causes
a. Coordinating Conjungtion : for
For is used to express causes. It is used to combine two independent clauses. We need
comma before “for”.
Example:
The people prefer to live in village, for it is comfortable and peaceful.
Independent clause Independent clause

b. Subordinating Conjunction : because, since, as

Because, since, and as are synonyms. They have no differences. However, since and as
are more formal than because.
Example:
Reza does not go to school because/since/as he is sick.
Independent clause Dependent clause
Note:
If the dependent clause (subordinate clause) comes in the beginning of the sentence, the
subordinate clause and the independent clause will be separated by comma (,).
Because/since/as Reza is sick, he does not go to school.
Dependent clause Independent clause

c. Prepotitional Phrase : because of, due to

Because of and due to are synonyms. In sentences, bacuase of and due to are followed
by gerrund or noun phrases.
Example:
Many students love Riki because of/due to his kindness.
Independent clause Noun phrases
Because of/due to Riki’s kindness, many students love him.
Noun phrases Independent clause

The picnic is cancelled because of/due to raining.

Independent clause Gerrund
Because of/due to raining, the picnic is cancelled.
Gerund Independent clause
Expressing Effects
a. Coordinating Conjungtion : so
So is used to express effects. It is used to combine two independent clauses. We need
comma before “so”.
Example:
Rio studied well last night, so he did the test easily.
Independent clause Independent clause

b. Conjunctive Adverbs : therefore, thus, hence, consequently

Conjunctive adverbs are used to join two independent/main clause. We use semi-colon
in writing. We can also use full-stopped if the clause is long.
Examples:
My parents have important business; therefore, they cannot come to school.
Independent clause Independent clause

His father had passed away. Consequently, he has to work hard to help his mother.
Independent clause Independent clause
Note:
Therefore, thus, and hence are synonyms. However, hence and thus are more formal than
therefore and the use of hence and thus are restricted to a very formal and scpecific
context.
Example:
Rifki’s research has finished. Hence, he has to arrange the report as his responsibility.
Independent clause Independent clause

c. Prepotitional Phrase : as a result, as a consequence

As a result and as a consequence are synonyms. In writing, they will followed by cluases.
Examples:
He drove the car carelessly. As a result, he got an accident.
Independent clause independent clause

The sanitation is so bad. As a consequence, health problems happen in the environment.

Independent clause independent clause