Expressing Cause and Effect
Learn to link a reason to its result — because, due to, so, and therefore — the connectors behind every good argument.
What are cause and effect?
The cause is the reason something happens; the effect is the result. Connecting the two clearly is one of the most useful writing skills you can have — especially for essays about real issues like the environment or education.
ما هما السبب والنتيجة؟
السبب هو الدافع وراء حدوث شيء ما؛ النتيجة هي الأثر المترتب عنه. الربط بينهما بوضوح من أهم مهارات الكتابة، خصوصًا في المقالات حول قضايا حقيقية مثل البيئة أو التعليم.
Introducing the cause
There are two groups of cause connectors, and they behave differently — this is exactly what the exam tests.
because
since
as
because of
due to
owing to
They didn’t go on the trip because of the rain. (because of + noun)
Introducing the effect
These connectors introduce the result — what happened because of the cause.
The factory released harmful chemicals into the river; consequently, local wildlife was affected.
Two sentence patterns
Cause-and-effect sentences follow one of two orders. Both are correct — choose whichever fits your sentence better.
Effect + cause connector + cause: Many species are endangered because of deforestation.
Environmental examples
Since this function often appears alongside environmental topics, practise with real examples from that theme.
People are cutting down forests for farmland; consequently, biodiversity is decreasing.
Morocco invests in renewable energy because fossil fuels are limited and harmful to the environment.
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ The trip was cancelled because the heavy rain. → ✅ The trip was cancelled because of the heavy rain.
❌ Starting a sentence with an effect connector and forgetting the comma: Therefore we left early. → ✅ Therefore, we left early.
Your turn — choose the correct connector
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1. They cancelled the match ___ the heavy rain.
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2. She stayed home ___ she was feeling unwell.
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3. ___ climate change, sea levels are rising.
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4. Pollution levels are high; ___, many people suffer from health problems.
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5. Choose the correct sentence.
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6. Which connector needs a full sentence after it?
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7. Deforestation is increasing. ___, wildlife habitats are shrinking.
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8. Choose the more FORMAL effect connector.
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9. “Owing to his intelligence, he solved the problem” — “owing to” is followed by a ___.
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10. Which sentence puts the CAUSE first?
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11. Choose the correct punctuation.
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12. “As” and “since” can also be used to express ___.
Combine each pair of sentences using the connector given in brackets:
- The river is polluted. Many fish have died. (as a result)
- It was raining heavily. The match was postponed. (because)
- Renewable energy is clean. Morocco is investing in it. (because of — rewrite using a noun)
- People cut down trees. Wildlife habitats are shrinking. (consequently)
- The exam was difficult. Many students didn’t finish it. (due to — rewrite using a noun)
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