Cause and Effect Connectors

Conjunction : So

Use: A conjunction connects two clauses. We do not usually use a comma to separate the clauses.

Sentence structure: Clause + conjunction + Clause

I was hungry so I went to the market.

Adverbs: because / as / since

Use: An adverb connects 2 clauses. It can go in the middle of at the beginning or a sentence but note the punctuation.

Sentence structure:

• 
  a) Clause + adverb + clause
  b) Adverb + clause + comma + clause

a) I went to the market because I was hungry.

b) Because I was hungry, I went to the market.

Prepositions: because of / due to

Use: A preposition is followed by a noun. The preposition can go at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence but note the punctuation.

Sentence structure:

• a) Clause + preposition + noun
• b) Preposition + noun + comma + clause

a) We stayed home because of the cold weather.

b) Because of the cold weather, we stayed home.

Transitions Therefore / Consequently / Thus / As a result / So

Use: A transition connects two sentences. It begins the second sentence and it is followed by a comma.

Sentence structure:

• Sentence. Transition + comma + clause

The delivery arrived late. Therefore, we will not pay the invoice on time.

Other ways to express cause and effect:

• If X, then Y

  X leads to Y

  X means (that) Y

  Due to the fact (that)