Cause & Effect Overview

Express cause and effect relationships

Summary of Cause–Effect Words

SO + CLAUSE SO/SUCH…THAT + CLAUSE BECAUSE + CLAUSE CO

So relates (is complemented by) a clause that
expresses an effect (result) for the situation
expressed in the main clause. A comma usually
separates the clause from the main clause.
So and such are intensifiers placed before other Because, as, since, though, and others are followed Con
modifiers in order to express a remarkable situation. by an adjunct clause expressing reason/cause. The relat
The situation (the cause clause) is then followed by cause-clause may be placedbefore or after the trans
a that + clause to state an effect of the situation. effect-clause. one
trans
sepa

So is a connective adverb, also called acoordinating So and such are degree Because and others are connective prepositions, Con
conjunction in other grammar systems. adverbs (intensifiers)followed by that, a subordinator, also called an adverbial, a subordinating conjunction, a lin
and a content clause (also called an adverbial clause, or along with its clause is called anadverbial clause. adve
subordinated clause, or that-clause). supp

He saw starving children, so he helped He raised so much money that he was able to open The children survived because they received help. Peop
them.[effect/result] a "food bank". Because they received help, the children survived. Peop
He helped, for he knew they could survive. He raised such a large amount of money that he The children survived because of the help. (noun surv
[cause/reason] was able to open a "food bank". phrase) Peop
He raised enough money that he was able to open a surv
"food bank".

CAUSE
 *for (reason or cause) so… (emphasis on cause) because, since, now that, as, as long as,inasmuch For t
*rarely used, very formal such… (emphasis on cause) as, because of, due to, owing to, on account
enough…that of, despite , if only because
sufficiently…that

EFFECT

so (result) …that (effect) so that (purpose-result) Ther

…that (effect) in order (purpose-result) resu

An adjunct is a word or structure that adds extra, non-essential information but is not required by the subject and predicate to complete the meaning of the

clause.

A supplemental structure is extra information added on to the clause but not required by the clause.

starving (Adj) – suffering without food; not having food to eat

food bank (N) – a place that gives bags of food to the poor

survive (V) – to continue to live in difficult conditions (accident, war, illness)

Cause-Effect Relationship Terms

 CAUSE EFFECT → NO CAUSE-EFFECT

REASON He's a great chef because he has worked hard and studied with the best master chefs.
The opinion or action is a logical response to the assertion or situation in other clause—cause-effect.

CONCESSION He's a great chef though he occasionally makes a dish that nobody likes.
Admitting to something that does not logically fit with the previous statement—an exception. See Concession.

CONTRARY REASONING He's a great chef though he's never had formal training.
The opinion or action is a not a logical or an expected response to the assertion or situation in other clause—no ca
reason.) See Contrary Reasoning.