Connectors of cause and consequence help us explain why something happens (cause) and what result it creates (consequence/effect). They are essential to link ideas clearly in both speaking and writing. We do not use both cause and consequence connectors in the same sentence. Learning these connectors will help you write more natural sentences and improve your fluency.
A1–A2 Connectors of Cause and Consequence
Cause (Reason)
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| because | gives a reason + clause | no comma (usually) | I stayed home because I was tired. |
| because of | gives a reason + noun | no comma | The game was cancelled because of the rain. |
| as | more formal way to say “because” | often at the beginning → comma | As it was late, we left. |
Consequence (Result)
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| so | shows result (very common) | comma before “so” | It rained, so we stayed home. |
| that’s why | explains a result (spoken style) | full stop before | It rained. That’s why we stayed home. |
| as a result | more formal result | comma after connector | It rained. As a result, the match was cancelled. |
B1–B2 Connectors of Cause and Consequence
Cause (Reason)
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| since | reason (more formal than because) | comma if at start | Since it was raining, we stayed home. |
| due to | reason + noun (formal) | usually after verb, no comma | The delay was due to traffic. |
| thanks to | positive result | no comma | We succeeded thanks to your help. |
| owing to | formal, similar to “due to” | no comma | The event was cancelled owing to bad weather. |
| the reason being (that) | explains or justifies | comma before phrase | He left early, the reason being he was tired. |
Consequence (Result)
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| therefore | logical result (formal) | comma after connector | It was late. Therefore, we left. |
| thus | very formal, academic | comma after connector | The data is incorrect. Thus, the results are invalid. |
| consequently | strong logical result | comma after connector | He didn’t study. Consequently, he failed. |
| as a consequence | formal alternative to “as a result” | comma after connector | It rained. As a consequence, the game was cancelled. |
| for this reason | clear spoken/written result | comma after connector | He was tired. For this reason, he went home. |
C1–C2 Connectors of Cause and Sequence
Cause
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| given that | obvious or known reason | comma if at start | Given that it was late, we left. |
| on account of | formal, often in reports | no comma | The match was cancelled on account of bad weather. |
| inasmuch as | very formal (legal/academic) | comma if clause first | Inasmuch as it was raining, the event was cancelled. |
Consequence
| Connector | Use | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| hence | direct result (formal) | comma after connector | It was raining. Hence, the match was cancelled. |
| thereby | shows how something happens | no comma mid-sentence | He missed the train, thereby losing the opportunity. |
| accordingly | result based on a situation | comma after connector | The plan failed. Accordingly, we changed strategy. |
Common Mistakes with Connectors of Cause and Consequence
1. Using cause and consequence together
Wrong:
Because it rained, so we stayed home.
Right:
Because it rained, we stayed home.
It rained, so we stayed home.
2. Confusing “because” and “because of”
Wrong:
Because of it rained
Right:
Because it rained
Because of the rain
3. Missing punctuation with result connectors
Wrong:
It was late therefore we left
Right:
It was late. Therefore, we left.
4. Using “thanks to” for negative situations
Wrong:
Thanks to the rain, the event was cancelled
Right:
Due to the rain, the event was cancelled.
Unless of course, you are happy that the event was cancelled.
5. Wrong word order with formal connectors
Wrong:
He failed consequently he didn’t study.
Right:
He didn’t study. Consequently, he failed.
6. Overusing “so” in writing
Try to vary: so → therefore / as a result / consequently
Connectors of Cause and Consequence Exercises
More exercises: PerfectEnglish | BritishCouncil | LiveWorksheets | EslLounge | UsingEnglish
because, because of: UsingEnglish