CAUSE AND EFFECT
Vocabulary and Grammar. When we talk about
a situation that makes another situation happen, we talk about cause and
effect. In English, we use certain expressions such as because, due
to, since, and as to talk about causes and effects. In this lesson, you
will learn the meanings of cause, effect, and affect.
Cause and Effect Examples
in Sentences. When water is heated, the molecules move quickly, therefore the
water boils. A tornado blew the roof off the house, and as a result, the family
had to find another place to live. Because the alarm was not set, we were late
for work. (Azar, 2012) .
Cause
(noun) a person or thing that makes
something happen
- The
cause of the accident was a flat tire.
(verb) an action that makes something happen
- The
flat tire caused the car to wreck.
Effect
(noun) a change that is a result of an
action or cause
- The snowstorm
had an effect on his mood.
Affect
When
effect is used as a verb, it is usually spelled with an a
= affect.
(verb) to produce an effect; to cause a change in something.
(verb) to produce an effect; to cause a change in something.
- The
snowstorm affected his mood.
Talking about causes and effects in English
To
express cause and effect in English, we us certain words and phrases.
- due
to
- because
of
- owing
to
- thanks
to
- as
a consequence of
- as
a result of
- because
- since
- as
- for
Followed by a noun
These
cause/effect phrases are followed by a noun or noun phrase.
- due
to
- because
of
- owing
to
- as
a consequence of
- as
a result of
- thanks
to
In the following examples, the noun or noun phrase will be underlined.
The cause always comes after the cause/effect signal word or phrase.
Signal word/phrase
+ Cause, + Effect
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause
Examples:
1.
Due to John's laziness, he did not pass the English test.
- Signal
phrase: Due to
- Cause:
John's laziness
- Effect:
He did not pass the test
2.
He failed the test because of his bad study habits.
- Signal
phrase: Because of
Cause: His bad study habits
- Effect:
He failed the test
3.
As a result of the rain, we canceled the picnic.
- Signal
phrase: As a result of
- Cause:
The rain
- Effect:
We canceled the picnic
4.
David could not attend owing to his illness.
- Signal
phrase: Owing to
- Cause:
David's illness
- Effect:
David could not attend
5.
He was fired as a consequence of tardiness (being late).
- Signal
phrase: As a consequence of
- Cause:
Tardiness
- Effect:
He was fired
Followed by a verb
These
cause/effect signal words are followed by a subject + verb or verb phrase.
- because
- since
- as
- for
In these examples, the subject + verb or verb phrase is underlined.
The cause comes after the cause/effect signal word or phrase.
Signal word/phrase
+ Cause, + Effect
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause
Effect + Signal word/phrase + Cause
Examples:
1.
Because John was lazy, he did not pass the English test.
- Signal
word: Because
- Cause:
John was lazy
- Effect:
He did not pass the test
2.
He failed the test because he did not study well.
- Signal
word: Because
- Cause:
He did not study well
- Effect:
He failed the test
3.
The picnic was canceled since the rain was coming.
- Signal
word: Since
- Cause:
The rain was coming
- Effect:
The picnic was canceled
4.
David could not attend for he was ill.
- Signal
word: For
- Cause:
David was ill
- Effect:
David could not attend
5.
As he arrived late to work, he will be fired.
- Signal
word: As
- Cause:
He arrived
- Effect:
He will be fired
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