-Placed in the middle of a sentence
-Used in writing and conversations
Giving illustrations or examples helps us prove our point and convince other people to believe us. These words help people understand what you’re trying to say and can help them see why you believe what you believe.
English Connectors for Cause and Effect | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
| -Used in everyday conversations and in writing -Most popular ways to give examples | Formal and informal | , she was able to solve a difficult math problem in half the time that everyone else did. , I spent four hours trying to learn how to use the . |
| -Used in everyday conversations and in writing -Can be used to give examples and list things | Formal and informal | teaching, journalism, advertising and so on. pizza, pasta and ravioli. |
-Similar to "for example" -Often used in writing | Usually formal | , he killed six women before being tracked down by the police. |
While discussing an issue or idea, you may want to focus on a particular point or example. To make the listener understand the importance of that specific idea, you can use the following connectors.
English Connectors for Emphasis | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used quite often -Used at the beginning, middle or even the end of sentences -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I think learning English was one of the best decisions I've ever made. , it's more common than you think. | |
-Used in writing and conversations -Used to indicate a fact supporting an opinion stated beforehand | Formal and informal | , there are 57 million speakers! , I don't miss meat at all! | |
-Similar to "as a matter of fact" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I don't think it'll work this time either. , I make them every day. | |
-As the phrase suggests, it's used to highlight or emphasize a point that's more important than the others already stated -Often used in writing -May be used in everyday conversations as well | Usually formal | , without sunlight, there would be no life on this planet. , you have to be clear about what you want to say. | |
-Used to highlight a point or several points -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | since she's upset right now. rock and roll! | |
-Used to emphasize that a point (or several points) is important -Usually appears in writing | Usually formal | the invention of the light bulb. for his book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." | |
-Only used in writing -Used to say that something is worth noting (compared to others) | Formal | is his work on child psychology. to the field of biology. |
Sometimes, we need to draw attention to certain similarities to make a point or explain something. This is especially important in writing!
To make better comparisons, use the following English connectors.
English Connectors for Comparison | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used to say that the next point is similar to the previous one -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , dogs love chasing after balls. , squirrels use holes in trees to protect their babies. | |
| -Can be interchangeable with "similarly" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , my brother loves playing sports. , animals need a variety of foods, too. |
| -Used to add to a point made previously -Usually appear in writing -Used at the beginning of new paragraphs to ensure they're connected to the overall topic -Used as (that is, these words make new sentences and paragraphs flow with others) | Usually formal | , it explores racism in America in the 20th century. , it's great for remembering everything you've learned! |
-Can be used instead of "and" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | an excellent dancer. math. | |
-Used to give examples -Used to show how two things are alike -Used in writing and conversations | Mostly informal | his cousin. we're strangers. | |
-Similar to "also" and "similarly" -Used in writing | Usually formal | , her best friend also favors tea. studied English. |
Sometimes, we need to express different or contradicting ideas side-by-side. Doing this helps the listener or reader focus on important differences and makes them aware of the many sides of a topic.
English Connectors for Contrast | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Similar to "while" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | Maria is good at speaking. Chinese doesn't. | |
| -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | Rose was a hard-working student, she failed the entrance exam. you're young, you're very mature. |
-Similar to "but" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you still need to exercise. , they can be expensive. | |
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , my friend prefers rainy seasons. , eating chocolate every day is bad for your health. | |
-Similar to "even though" or "although" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | the rain, we went for a walk and enjoyed the fresh air. their different personalities. | |
-More common way to say "in spite of" -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | being warned, she still went into the scary woods. being tired. | |
-Mostly used in writing | Usually formal | , I think he's quite innocent and deserves a chance to explain himself. , I believe in aliens. |
These connectors are useful when you’re giving step-by-step instructions or listing points.
English Connectors for Sequence | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you need to mix the flour, baking soda and cocoa powder together. , you need to carefully add the milk. , there's no evidence to support it. , the logic used isn't strong enough. | |
-Similar to "firstly... secondly..." -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , it only takes a few minutes a day. , anyone can do it. , I check my emails. , I reply to important messages. | |
-Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , it's delicious. Also, it cools me down on hot days. , it expands your communication skills. In the second place, it opens up new opportunities. | |
-Used to state the last point of a topic -Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , the effects of the chemicals must be taken into consideration. , I organize my desk before leaving the office. | |
-When used in writing, it's an excellent way to begin the last or the second to the last paragraph -When used in speech, you can use it to give the final instructions or end a conversation | Formal and informal | , mix all the ingredients well. , after editing the document, I proofread for any errors. |
Finally , how do you let your reader know that you’ve reached the end? (See what I did there?)
There are certain connectors that we usually use during conclusions or when we’ve reached the end of what we wanted to say. When writing or stating conclusions, you usually repeat the most important points.
English Connectors for Conclusion | Usage | Context | Example Sentences |
---|---|---|---|
Used in formal writing as a way to begin the last or "concluding" paragraph in an essay or report | Formal | , we can't ignore the role modern science plays in our everyday lives. , it's crucial for everyone to be on the same page moving forward. | |
Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , you need to directly confront Kevin about the matter we've just discussed. , the story revolves around a young detective solving a mysterious case. | |
Used in writing and conversations | Formal and informal | , I think Kayla should go to the party. , bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities and opens up cultural opportunities. | |
Used in conversations (though may also be used in writing) | Mostly informal | , organizing a surprise birthday party for Josh was certainly worth it. , I'd say the science fair was a success. |
Here are some quick tips that’ll help you learn English connectors more efficiently.
Make Your Own Sentences
To explain the meanings and uses of different connectors, I’ve provided example sentences for each. However, you’ll remember them much better if you come up with your own examples.
You can start by using connectors in your diary entries, notebooks, essays and the like. Soon, you’ll find yourself using these connectors in everyday speech as well!
Write a Short Story or Essay
To see the huge difference English connectors can make, try writing a paragraph without any connectors and then rewrite it using some of the connectors above. You’ll quickly realize that your sentences will flow better, sound more logical and become easier to understand.
Learn English with Authentic Content
You probably want to speak English like a native (or at least try to). So why not learn from natives? Try watching a speech in English to get a good idea of how these fit together. Look for the ones with transcripts that you can write notes in, maybe even circling all of the connecting terms as you see them.
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.
You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.
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Do Online Exercises
Finally, to check whether you’ve understood how to use connectors correctly, you can try online exercises from websites that cover English grammar .
For example, the ones on English Daily and English Grammar are pretty short and can be completed in a few minutes.
There’s also ToLearnEnglish , which provides a brief list of common connectors before you solve the exercise, making it a great resource for review.
Now that you know the most commonly-used English connectors, you can use them in sentences and paragraphs with great confidence. Try your hand at some of the exercises I’ve suggested for practice.
So what are you waiting for?
Get out there and start incorporating these useful English connectors into your everyday life!
If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:
If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.
The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.
FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.
For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:
FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.
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Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.
Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.
The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.
For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.
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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.
Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.
Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.
The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.
If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.
While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.
In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.
The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.
There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.
Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.
Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Addition | We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. | indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact |
Introduction | Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of … | such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably |
Reference | The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that … | considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of |
Similarity | It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear … | similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise |
Clarification | The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep. | that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words |
Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Conflict | The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political … | but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas |
Concession | Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered. | even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted |
Dismissal | It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that … | regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same |
Emphasis | The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis. | above all, indeed, more/most importantly |
Replacement | The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed. | (or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not |
Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Consequence | Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. | therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so |
Condition | We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative. | (even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise |
Purpose | We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible. | to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that) |
Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Enumeration | This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , … | first, second, third… |
Initiation | , I want to consider the role played by women in this period. | in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first |
Continuation | , I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict. | subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then |
Conclusion | , I consider these two themes in combination. | to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly |
Resumption | my main argument, it is clear that … | to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate |
Summation | Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective. | as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short |
Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.
Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.
“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.
The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”
While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.
To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.
Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.
The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.
We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”
Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.
In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”
Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”
The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.
First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.
Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.
These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.
With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Cause and effect essays, learning objectives.
Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen. For example, if we eat too much food and do not exercise, we gain weight. Eating food without exercising is the “cause;” weight gain is the “effect.” There may be multiple causes and multiple effects. Looking for the reason why things happen (cause/effect) is a basic human drive. So, understanding the cause/effect text structure is essential in learning the basic ways the world works. Writers use this text structure to show order, inform, speculate, and change behavior. This text structure uses the process of identifying potential causes of a problem or issue in an orderly way. It is often used to teach social studies and science concepts.
Sometimes writing prompts include signal words that show cause/effect relationships, such as: because , so, so that, if… then, consequently, thus, since, for, for this reason, as a result of, therefore, due to, this is how, nevertheless , and accordingly .
Figure 1 . What are some known causes of heart disease? How would you format a cause and effect assignment based on this topic?
Cause and effect writing prompts will often ask the “why” question:
Sometimes they use words like analyze , connection , or relationship :
Other prompts may ask you to explain the cause and effect relationship. Look for the verb explain as a signal word so you answer the prompt correctly.
Depending on the assignment, you may be asked to look for different kinds of cause/effect relationships:
Step 1 : Look for unstated cause-and-effect relationships
In some paragraphs, the cause-and-effect relationship is not directly stated. In these cases, you will have to “read between the lines” to find the cause-and-effect relationship. Use clues from the paragraph to identify a cause-and-effect relationship.
Let’s look at some examples:
Step 2 : Look for the signal words that show cause-and-effect relationships.
Step 3 : Look for effects that are also causes. Effects can form a chain in which one effect goes on to cause a second effect, which may then cause a third effect and so on. Study this example:
When people cut down trees to clear land, they destroy the habitats of birds. This reduces the number of nest sites. As a result, fewer baby birds are hatched, and the bird population declines.
Cause/effect paragraphs generally follow a basic paragraph format. That is, they begin with a topic sentence and this sentence is followed by specific supporting details.
For example, if the topic sentence introduces an effect, the supporting sentences all describe causes. Here is an example:
In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities.
Notice how each supporting sentence is a cause that explains the effect mentioned in the topic sentence. In the chart below are the main ideas of the above paragraph, to help you understand the relationships better:
Cities have grown very large. [There are several reasons for this.] | Factory jobs attracted people |
Better schools attracted families to move to the city | |
Places of leisure, entertainment, and culture made city life appear more interesting |
Notice also how the topic sentence is followed by the “focusing” or “prediction” sentence, “There are several reasons for this.” Such sentences help the reader anticipate the organization of the paragraph or essay.
Open your Working Document and find the heading “Cause and Effect.”
Effect: Anxiety has increased among college students.
Causes: List 3 ideas you have about possible causes.
Try it the other way.
What effect might be indicated by the three causes below?
Transition words also referred to as linking or connecting words, are tools used to create coherence and consistency (known as ‘flow’) in a piece of writing. Transition words (or phrases) link different points together to improve readability. Without these words, the relationship between ideas may be unclear to the reader. Transition words add logic, order, and structure to the writing. They help the reader to follow the points by showing the connection between different phrases, sentences, or paragraphs. To learn about cause and effect transition words, keep reading!
There are four different types of transition words, which should be used depending on what the writer is trying to portray. Each transition word has different meanings and implications. So before inserting a word into a paper, it’s critical to fully understand meaning and usage. Most transition words and phrases can appear in three places in a sentence: at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end. Some transitions can also be placed between two sentences.
Cause and effect transition words
Also referred to as causation, these connect a reason to a consequence. Examples include “therefore”, and “because”.
Sequential transition words
These connect ideas or events to when they occur, chronologically. Examples include “first of all” and “second”.
Additive transition words
These are used to add information. Examples include “furthermore” and “such as”.
Adversative transition words
These are used to show contrast or conflict. Examples include “however” and “even though”.
Cause and effect
Cause and effect transition words make a certain type of text, a cause and effect essay, easier to read. A cause and effect essay shows how two or more events are related. The transition words help to provide either a reason or a consequence and give the reader a better idea of where to find the connection between two separate things.
Transition words to show cause (reason)
These are words and phrases that introduce a cause or reason. They should be used at the beginning of a cause and effect essay. Some of these can be used interchangeably.
It is important to note that when these are used at the beginning of a sentence, an effect or consequence must be included at the end of the sentence. Depending on which transition is used, it will be followed by either a verb phrase or a noun phrase.
Because + [noun phrase]: Because it rained for days, the basement flooded.
Since + [verb phrase]: Since learning how to drive, she was always out.
As a result of + [noun phrase]: As a result of the bad weather, the party was cut short.
**As a result of + [independent clause]: She was late; as a result, we missed the beginning of the lecture.
As + [verb phrase]: As I was tired, I made several mistakes.
Because of + [noun phrase]: Because of the depression, many people relied on food pantries.
Due to + [noun phrase]: Due to the traffic, he was late for work.
Owing to + [noun phrase]: Owing to the national holiday, she had the day off from work .
Transition words to show effect (consequence)
The following are words and phrases that introduce an effect or consequence. They should be used after a sentence or paragraph that describes a cause. Some of these can be used interchangeably.
Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not all interchangeable. Understanding the meaning of the word or phrase before use is crucial.
Show AWL words on this page.
Levels 1-5: grey Levels 6-10: orange
Show sorted lists of these words.
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Any words you don't know? Look them up in the website's built-in dictionary .
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Choose a dictionary . Wordnet OPTED both
The Cause and effect essay is another common essay type, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs examining causes and effects. This page gives information on what a cause and effect essay is , how to structure this type of essay, and how to use cause and effect structure words (transition signals) for this type of essay. There is also an example cause and effect essay on the topic of women at work, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
For another look at the same content, check out YouTube » or Youku » , or this infographic » .
A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the causes or the effects, not both, are discussed. See the examples below.
There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These are similar to the ways to structure problem-solution essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the causes are listed first, and all of the effects are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each cause is followed immediately by the effect. Usually that effect will then be the cause of the next effect, which is why this structure is called 'chain'. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any effects you present relate directly to the causes you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below.
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Cause and effect structure words are transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships. It is important to be clear which is the cause (or reason) and which is the effect (or result), and to use the correct transition word or phrase. Remember that a cause happens first , and the effect happens later .
Below are some common cause and effect structure words. X is used to indicate a cause, while Y is used to indicate the effect.
Below is a cause and effect essay. This essay uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Causes, Effects, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the causes and effects contained in the main body.
Title: More and more women are now going out to work and some women are now the major salary earner in the family. What are the causes of this, and what effect is this having on families and society?
In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences , both in terms of the family , for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of independence , and also for society itself with greater gender equality . The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s and was popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and interests. These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole. Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. A further effect on the family is the promotion of independence in the children. Some might argue that having both parents working might be damaging to the children because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and their parents often rely on them to help with the housework. This therefore teaches them important life skills. As regards society, the most significant impact of women going to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just employment. For example, women today have much stronger legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence and sexual discrimination in the workplace. In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work has brought about some important changes to family life, including improved quality of life and increased independence for children, as well as affecting society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes place.
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Below is a checklist for cause and effect essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
Cause and effect are used accurately | ||
The essay has clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
Find out how to write problem-solution essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about compare & contrast essays .
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Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 16 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
Expressing cause and effect, contrast, and condition with connectives (part one).
In previous lessons we’ve shown how to use adverb clauses and modifying adverbial phrases to express cause and effect, contrast, and condition. The words that introduce adverb clauses belong to a category of English words known as connectives that join one part of a sentence to another. Other types of connectives can also be used to express some of the same ideas that adverb clauses can. These other connectives are: prepositions, transitions, and conjunctions.
In this lesson, we’re going to discuss how these additional connectives can be used to express cause and effect and purpose. In the next lesson, we’ll wrap up connectives by looking at how they are used in expressions of contrast and condition.
Cause and Effect: “Because Of” and “Due To”
Adverb clauses introduced by because express cause and effect relationships:
Because it was raining, I wore a hooded sweatshirt.
Because of and due to are phrasal prepositions. They express the same cause-effect relationship
as because . However, a preposition is followed by a noun object, not by a subject and a verb:
Because of the rain , I wore a hooded sweatshirt.
Due to the rain, I wore a hooded sweatshirt.
Occasionally, you will see due to followed by a noun clause introduced by the fact that . This occurs primarily in older and very formal writing. Native English speakers rarely use it in conversations or informal writing:
Due to the fact that it was raining, I wore hooded sweatshirt.
Like adverb clauses, phrasal prepositions can also follow the main clause. Note the lack of a comma in these instances:
I wore a hooded sweatshirt because of the rain .
I wore a hooded sweatshirt due to the rain.
I wore hooded sweatshirt due to the fact that it was raining.
Cause and Effect: “Therefore, Consequently, and So”
Transitions connect ideas between two sentences. They are used commonly in formal writing but rarely in spoken English. The transitions therefore and consequently mean “as a result.” They occur in the second of two related sentences and can have a variety of positions within the second sentence. Compare the following examples, which all have the same meaning:
Sam was late for work because she overslept.
Sam overslept. Therefore, she was late for work.
Sam overslept. She, therefore, was late for work.
Sam overslept. She was late for work, therefore.
So is a conjunction that has the same meaning as therefore. Because it is a conjunction, so uses a comma, not a period, to connect two related independent clauses:
Sam overslept, so she was late for work.
Expressing Cause and Effect with “Such…That” and “So…That”
Such…that and so…that express cause and effect by enclosing other parts of speech. Such…that encloses a modified noun ( such + adjective + noun + that ):
It was such a nice day that I ate my lunch outside.
It was such a good movie that I saw it a second time.
So…that encloses an adjective or adverb ( so + adjective/adverb + that ):
The drink was so cold that it made my teeth hurt.
James speaks so slowly that I lose interest in what he is saying.
You can use so…that with many, few, much, and more to help express quantity:
Sarah’s section of the report contained so many grammar errors that I had to completely rewrite it.
Mike has so few days off that I rarely get to see him.
Julie makes so much money that she can go out for dinner whenever she wants.
Robert had so little trouble with the assignment that he finished it the day it was assigned.
Native English speakers often omit the that when speaking or writing informally:
I was so hungry (that ) I ate an entire pizza for dinner.
Using “So That” to Express Purpose
So that (with no words in between) expresses purpose. It has the same meaning as “in order to”:
I cleaned up the living room in order to enable my roommate to vacuum the floor.
I cleaned up the living room so (that) my roommate could vacuum the floor.
I cleaned up the living room for a purpose. The purpose was to make it possible for my roommate to vacuum the floor without having to move things out of the way.
So that is often used instead of in order to when ability is being expressed. Pairing so that with can/could is the same as saying “in order to be able to”:
I’m going to cash my paycheck so that I can buy groceries.
I cashed my paycheck so that I could buy groceries.
Combining so that with will, would, or a simple present tense verb is the same as saying “in order to make sure that.” Will is used in expressing present tense. Would expresses past tense. Using a simply present verb in place of will/would expresses future tense:
I’ll wear a hooded sweatshirt so that I won’t get my hair wet.
I wore a hooded sweatshirt so that I wouldn’t get my hair wet.
I’ll wear a hooded sweatshirt so that I don’t get my hair wet.
Cause Connectors : Because, Because of; So/Such
Online Exercises |
Cause Connectors: First and foremost, cause connectors enable writers to express the reason behind a particular outcome or action. Words and phrases like “because,” “since,” and “due to” help establish a cause-effect relationship by indicating the reason that led to a specific result. By employing cause connectors, writers can provide logical explanations and enhance the reader’s understanding of the subject matter.
Effects: The effects of using cause connectors in writing are significant. Firstly, writing that incorporates cause connectors becomes more precise and informative. Readers gain a clearer understanding of the relationships between ideas, as cause connectors provide explicit connections between causes and effects, making the writing more informative and engaging.
Conclusion: In conclusion, cause connectors play a vital role in achieving clarity and coherence in writing. They provide logical explanations, contribute to well-structured arguments, and enhance the organization and flow of ideas. By effectively using cause connectors, writers can create more informative, persuasive, and engaging texts that effectively convey their intended message.
Consequently:, for this reason:.
Because | Result in | Because of this | Leads to |
Causes | Owing to | As a consequence of | Hence |
Thus | Stems from | Is due to | Us caused by |
For | So | Consequently | Therefore |
Contributes of | Brings about | On account of | For this reason |
Comes from | Is the result of | Due to | As |
Since | Accordingly | That is why | In order to |
In order that | Thereby | Similarly | Seeing that |
Due to the fact that |
1. We arrived late ………. the bad traffic. |
2. He could not play in the game ………. his foot injury. |
3. She did not buy it ………. the price was too high. |
4. ………. it is a national holiday, there will be no class tomorrow. |
5. We could not sleep last night ………. the noise next door. |
6. ………. the storm warnings, we did not go out last night. |
7. They went to the beach ………. it is cooler there. |
8. She had to study ………. her exam next week. |
9. Classes will be canceled tomorrow ………. a national holiday. |
10. She was absent ………. her cold was worse. |
11. John’s family is very happy ………. his being awarded a scholarship. |
12. She didn’t buy it ………. the price. |
13. It was difficult to see the road clearly ………. it was raining. |
14. ………. cheese is essentially a concentrated form of milk, it contains the same nutrients as milk. |
1. because of | 5. because of | 9. because of | 13.because |
2. because of | 6. Because of | 10.because | 14.Because |
3. because | 7. because | 11.because of | |
4. Because | 8. because of | 12.because of |
1. We were late to the meeting ………. the traffic was heavy. |
2. ………. my parents’ generosity, all of the children in our family have received the best of everything. |
3. Bill has to do all of the cooking and cleaning ………. his wife’s illness. |
4. ………. Dr. Robinson’s excellent research on wolves, we know much more today about the endangered species than we did even five years ago. |
5. I couldn’t get to sleep last night ………. it was noisy in the next apartment. |
6. I regret to say that I cannot be present at our daughter’s wedding ………. circumstances are beyond my control. |
7. Jerry’s in good shape physically ………. he gets a lot of exercises. |
8. The letter was returned to the sender ………. it didn’t have enough postage. |
9. Our flight from Amsterdam to London was delayed ………. the heavy fog. |
10. ………. the severe snow storm and the road blocks, the air force dropped food and medical supplies close to the city. |
11. He has received several scholarships ………. his academic and artistic ability. |
12.The professor was considering postponing the examination until the following week ………. the student’s confusion. |
13. ………. the residents had worked so diligently to renovate the old building, the manager had a party. |
14. George did not do well in the class ………. he failed to study properly. |
15. ………. its durability and economy, the best car is a Mercedes Benz. |
1. because | 5. because | 9. because of | 13.Because |
2. Because of | 6. because | 10.Because of | 14.because |
3. because of | 7. because | 11.because of | 15.Because of |
4. Because of | 8. because | 12.because of |
1. The car was expensive. We couldn’t afford to buy it. |
2. It was an expensive car. We couldn’t afford to buy it. |
3. I had to wear my wool coat. It was a cold day. |
4. The weather was hot. You could fry an egg on the sidewalk. |
5. I don’t like going to class. We’re having beautiful weather. |
6. Grandpa held me tightly when he hugged me. I couldn’t breathe for a moment. |
7. I couldn’t understand her. She talked too fast. |
8. The audience booed the actors. It was a bad performance. |
9. I’ve met too many people in the last few days. I can’t possibly remember all of their names. |
10. It took us only ten minutes to get there. There was little traffic. |
11. There were few people at the meeting. It was cancelled. |
12. The newspaper basket overflowed. Sally used too much paper when she was writing her report. |
1. The car was so expensive that…. | 7. She talked so fast that…. |
2. It was such an expensive car that…. | 8. It was such a bad performance that…. |
3. It was such a cold day that…. | 9. I’ve met so many people …. |
4. The weather was so hot that…. | 10. There’re was so little traffic …. |
5. We’re having such beautiful weather that…. | 11 .There were so few people …. |
6. Grandpa held me so tightly …. | 12. Sally used so much paper …. |
1. Come on! Don’t walk ………. slowly. |
2. I’ve never read ………. a stupid book. |
3. I was surprised that he looked ………. well after his recent illness. |
4. They’ve got ………. a lot of money, they don’t know what to do with it. |
5. She is a very attractive girl. She’s got ………. beautiful eyes. |
6. Everything is ………. expensive these days, isn’t it? |
7. Why do you ask them ………. stupid questions? |
8. It was ………. a boring film that I fell asleep in the middle of it. |
9. The wind was ………. strong, it was difficult to work. |
10.The food at the hotel was very bad. I’ve never eaten ………. awful food. |
11. It was ………. a good book that I couldn’t put it down. |
12.There were ………. many people in the room that we couldn’t move. |
13. It was ………. warm weather that I didn’t need a coat. |
1. so | 2. such | 3. so | 4. such | 5. such | 6. so | 7. such |
8. such | 9. so | 10. such | 11. such | 12. so | 13. such |
1. The road is so narrow that it is difficult for two cars to pass each other. – It is ……….. |
2. The weather was so warm that I didn’t need a coat. – It……….. |
3. His feet are so big that he has difficulty finding shoes to fit him. – He has got ………. . |
4. There were so many people in the room that we couldn’t move. – There were ……….. |
1. … such a narrow road … | 3. … such big feet… |
2. … was such warm weather … | 4. … such a lot of people … |
1. He’s difficult to understand because he speaks ………. quickly. |
2. I like Tom and Ann. They’re ………. nice people. |
3. It was a great holiday. We had ………. good time. |
4. The weather is lovely, isn’t it? I didn’t expect it to be ………. nice day. |
5. I have to go. I didn’t realize it was ………. late. |
6. He always looks good. He wears ………. nice clothes. |
7. I couldn’t believe the news. It was ………. shock. |
8. I think she works too hard. She looks ………. tired all the time. |
9. I didn’t realize you lived ………. long way from the downtown. |
10. I can’t decide what to do. It’s ………. problem. |
11.Today was ………. beautiful day that I couldn’t bring myself to complete all my chores. |
12.The chemistry instructor explained the experiment in ………. way that it was easily understood. |
1. so | 4. such a | 7. such a | 10. such a |
2. such | 5. so | 8. so | 11. such a |
3. such a | 6. such | 9. such a | 12. such a |
1. He is so slow as he never gets to class on time. |
2. It was so interesting book that I couldn’t put it down. |
3. The suitcase is as heavy that I can hardly carry it. |
4. She is such nice girl that everyone likes her. |
5. We arrived so late as Professor Baker had already called the roll. |
6. We had so a small lunch that I am hungry already. |
7. He drives so fast as no one likes to ride with him. |
8. That so many advances have been made in so short time is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit. |
9. Preparing frozen foods is too easy that anyone can do it. |
10. It is so nice weather that I would like to go to the beach. |
1. so slow that | 6. so small a lunch / such a small lunch |
2. so interesting a book / such an | 7. so fast that |
interesting book | 8. such a short time / so short a time |
3. so heavy that | 9. so easy that |
4. such a nice girl / so nice a girl | 10.such nice weather |
5. so late that |
1. They had so a good meal at that restaurant that they wanted to go there again. |
2. They were such talented actors that their movie was a great success. |
3. The store had too few customers that it closed. |
4. It was such a long lesson that we could not finish it in one day. |
5. He was as rich that he owned four homes. |
6. He is so forgetful as he never pays his rent on time. |
7. She was such a good student that she won a scholarship. |
8. They had a such bad day that got depressed. |
9. It was so warm weather that we went to the swimming pool. |
10. The old woman’s handwriting was so faint that I could hardly read it. |
11. The stars are so far from the earth that we cannot see most of them. |
12. I had too many things to do that I could not finish them all. |
13. It was so confusing as I could not understand it. |
14. He spoke such good Arabic that he surprised everyone. |
15. The building was as large that we had difficulty finding his office. |
16. He gave me so good advice that I was very grateful to him. |
17. They had such a good time in Rome that they always dreamed of going back. |
18. He is so shy as he never speaks in class. |
19. It was so good game that the stadium was packed. |
20. The doctor has so many patients that he could not see them all. |
1. F, so good a meal / | 8. F, such a bad day / so | 15.F, so large that such a good meal bad a day |
2. T | 9. F, such | 16. F, such good advice |
3. F, so few | 10.T | 17. T |
4. ? | 11.? | 18. F, so shy that |
5. F, so rich | 12. F, so many things | 19. F, such a good game |
6. F, so forgetful that | 13. F, so confusing that | 20.T |
7. T | 14.T |
Enough with Adjectives, Adverbs and Nouns
Once you have mastered the basics of correct usage in written English, you will want to express yourself in increasingly complex ways. One of the best ways to improve your writing style is to use sentence connectors. Sentence connectors are used to express relationships between ideas and to combine sentences. The use of these connectors will add sophistication to your writing style.
After you study these constructions, take the contrasting ideas quiz to check your understanding.
Coordinating conjunction | ||
Subordinating conjunctions | ||
Conjunctive adverbs | ||
Prepositions |
the main statement, contrasting statement | I'd really like to come to the film, but I have to study tonight. | |
the main statement, contrasting statement OR contrasting statement, main statement | They continued on their journey, in spite of the pouring rain. | |
the main statement, contrasting statement OR the contrasting statement, main statement | They continued on their journey, despite the pouring rain. | |
the main statement, contrasting statement OR contrasting statement, main statement | We wanted to buy a sports car, although we knew that fast cars can be dangerous. |
IMAGES
COMMENTS
e.g. His death was caused by a heart attack. 4) Consequently. This connector is used to introduce the effect of an event. This connector is very similar to "as a result of," but it typically has a more negative connotation. e.g. The company went bankrupt as a consequence of the recession. 5) Due To.
Here are sentence connectors that show cause and effect in written English. Type of Connector. Connector (s) Examples. Coordinating conjunctions. for (cause), so (effect) Professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient, for their positions are at times rather stressful. The doctor decided a second opinion was required, so Tom was sent to an ...
A cause and effect essay is a type of expository essay that explores its topic by discussing the issue's causes and consequences. For example, a cause and effect essay about deforestation's role in climate change might discuss a few of deforestation's specific causes, like a demand for wood and the clearing of land for grazing pastures ...
Connectors of Cause and Effect. Sentence connectors improve your writing. They add variety and sophistication to your style of writing, we use several different words to show cause and effect. Connectors are words or groups of words that help us connect words, phrases or sentences. Cause and effect is a relationship between events or things ...
January 6, 2012 -. Sentence connectors improve your writing. They add variety and sophistication to your style of writing. In this lesson we will learn about words and expressions used to show cause and effect. In English, we use several different words to show cause and effect. Examples are: for, because, as, since, therefore, hence, as a ...
Words and phrases such as "because," "as a result," "therefore," and "consequently" can help signal the cause and effect relationships in your writing. 5. Proofreading and Editing. After completing the initial draft of your essay, take the time to thoroughly proofread and edit your work. Look out for any grammar, spelling, or ...
There are three main types of linking words: conjunctions, transitions, and prepositions. 1. Conjunctions. The most important conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. "Because", "as", and "since" introduce a cause; "so" introduces an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together.
Mastering cause and effect connectors is an essential skill for effective communication and writing. Whether you're composing an essay, report, or simply trying to make your everyday communication more coherent, these connectors will serve you well.
The most common simple conjunctions of cause and effect are: Because: This conjunction is used to indicate that something happens as a result of something else. It is the most direct and straightforward way to express a causal relationship. Example: I stayed at home because it was raining.
Linking words for cause and effect. Cause and Effect: Words that demonstrate cause and effect relationships. These linking words and phrases can help you express the cause-and-effect relationship between events or actions. Use them appropriately based on the context to convey the reason and result of a particular situation or occurrence. Examples:
Sometimes there is a direct link or connection between one idea and the next. Idea 1 happens, then something else happens as a result, which is idea 2. This is a cause and effect relationship ...
English connectors are little words and phrases that help you connect sentences, paragraphs and ideas. Used both in spoken and written English, they help make your English sound more logical and structured. You can think of connectors as like the thread that holds a necklace's beads (i.e. sentences, paragraphs and ideas) together.
Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.
In this video I go over commonly used transitions, connectors and linking words for cause and effect writing. I go over a handout that you can download below...
Make your cause and effect essay more coherent with linking language—or sentence connectors—that make the relationships between causes and effects crystal clear. Use the following conjunctive adverbs to smoothly transition from one idea to the next in your cause and effect writing.
This reduces the number of nest sites. As a result, fewer baby birds are hatched, and the bird population declines. Cause 1: People cut down trees. Effect 1: The habitats of birds are destroyed. Effect 2: The number of nest sites is reduced. Effect 3: Fewer baby birds are hatched. Effect 4: The bird population declines.
A cause and effect essay shows how two or more events are related. The transition words help to provide either a reason or a consequence and give the reader a better idea of where to find the connection between two separate things. Transition words to show cause (reason) These are words and phrases that introduce a cause or reason. They should ...
A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though ...
Definition. In composition, cause and effect is a method of paragraph or essay development in which a writer analyzes the reasons for—and/or the consequences of—an action, event, or decision. A cause-and-effect paragraph or essay can be organized in various ways. For instance, causes and/or effects can be arranged in either chronological ...
Expressing Cause and Effect with "Such…That" and "So…That" Such…that and so…that express cause and effect by enclosing other parts of speech. Such…that encloses a modified noun (such + adjective + noun + that): It was such a nice day that I ate my lunch outside. It was such a good movie that I saw it a second time.
One essential aspect of grammar is the use of cause connectors, which establish a cause-and-effect relationship between different parts of a sentence or between separate sentences. This essay will explore the significance of cause connectors in achieving clarity and coherence in writing.
Ideas can be expressed in many ways using sentence connectors, or linking language, to link two related sentences together to form a cohesive thought. ... Take for instance writing an essay on the cause-effect relationship between human energy consumption and global warming, while you may be able to say "human have burned more fossil fuels in ...
Use a comma or semicolon (;) with 'but'. 'But' is the most common way to show contrasting ideas. the main statement, in spite of contrasting statement OR in spite of contrasting statement, main statement. They continued on their journey, in spite of the pouring rain. Use 'in spite of' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund.