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English grammar

Cause and effect beyond because

C1 · Advanced Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

Precise writing names causes and effects with more than because and so. Prepositions + noun give the cause: due to, owing to, because of, on account of, as a result of, in view of, and thanks to (usually for a good result). Verbs link them in either direction, and the direction matters: cause → effect with cause, lead to, result in, give rise to, bring about, trigger, contribute to; effect ← cause with result from, stem from, arise from, be caused by, be attributed to. So The storm resulted in damage but The damage resulted from the storm. Linking adverbs mark the result in the next sentence: consequently, as a result, hence (+ noun phrase: hence the delay), thus. Useful collocations: the root / underlying cause, a knock-on effect, a direct consequence.

Pattern

due to / owing to / on account of / in view of / thanks to + noun · cause → effect: lead to / result in / give rise to / bring about / contribute to · effect ← cause: result from / stem from / arise from / be attributed to · consequently / hence + noun / thus

Examples

  1. The flight was delayed owing to fog at Schiphol.

  2. The new road has led to a sharp rise in traffic.

  3. Many of his problems stem from a lack of sleep.

  4. Thanks to the volunteers, the festival was a success.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The storm resulted from widespread damage.

    Right: The storm resulted in widespread damage.

    result in + effect; result from + cause.

  • Wrong: Thanks to the strike, we lost a day’s pay.

    Right: Because of the strike, we lost a day’s pay.

    thanks to usually introduces a good result; use a neutral link for a bad one.

  • Wrong: Owing the rain, the match was cancelled.

    Right: Owing to the rain, the match was cancelled.

    owing to needs to.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The strike resulted from hundreds of cancelled flights.
    2. The strike resulted hundreds of cancelled flights.
    3. The strike resulted to hundreds of cancelled flights.
    4. The strike resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights.
    Show answer

    Answer: D The strike resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights.

    Cause → effect: result in.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the cause?

    The drop in sales stemmed from a change in the law.

    1. Both at the same time
    2. A change in the law
    3. Neither of them
    4. The drop in sales
    Show answer

    Answer: B A change in the law

    stem from + cause.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    The match was postponed _____ to the waterlogged pitch.

    1. owing
    2. result
    3. thanks of
    4. because
    Show answer

    Answer: A The match was postponed owing to the waterlogged pitch.

    owing to + noun.

  4. 4Change the sentence.

    Turn it round with lead to.

    Prices rose because of the shortage.

    1. The shortage led to a rise in prices.
    2. The shortage led from a rise in prices.
    3. The shortage was led to rising prices it.
    4. The shortage leaded to a rise in prices.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The shortage led to a rise in prices.

    Cause as subject + lead to + effect.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    Which link suits a good result?

    The new lights have made the crossing safer.

    1. Owing to the new lights, the crossing is safer by fault.
    2. Thanks to the new lights, the crossing is safer.
    3. Due to blame of the new lights, the crossing is safer.
    4. Because the new lights, the crossing is safer.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Thanks to the new lights, the crossing is safer.

    thanks to for a positive result.

  6. 6This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Most accidents here result in careless driving.

    1. Most accidents here result from careless driving.
    2. Most accidents here results from careless driving.
    3. Most accidents here are result from careless driving.
    4. Most accidents here result by careless driving.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Most accidents here result from careless driving.

    Effect ← cause: result from.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    The decision gave rise to a lot of anger

    Show answer

    Answer: The decision gave rise to a lot of anger.

    give rise to = cause (formal).

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Consequence, the factory was forced to close.
    2. As consequently, the factory was forced to close.
    3. Consequently of this, the factory was forced to close.
    4. Consequently, the factory was forced to close.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Consequently, the factory was forced to close.

    Consequently = as a result.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the effect?

    Poor planning contributed to the delays.

    1. The planners
    2. Poor planning
    3. The contribution
    4. The delays
    Show answer

    Answer: D The delays

    contribute to + effect.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    You are writing a report on a traffic study.

    The increase in accidents can be _____ to poor lighting.

    1. attributed
    2. resulted
    3. attributing
    4. caused
    Show answer

    Answer: A The increase in accidents can be attributed to poor lighting.

    be attributed to + cause.

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