Cause-Effect Relationships

Conjunctions Conjunctions The most important causal conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. The most important causal conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. Because, as, and since introduce a cause. Because, as, and since introduce a cause. So introduces an effect. So introduces an effect.

They are often used like this: They are often used like this: First sentence conjunction second sentence. First sentence conjunction second sentence. 1. I stayed at home because it was raining. 2. It was raining, so I stayed at home. (use a comma before so) You can also reverse the order of the sentences with because, as, and since: You can also reverse the order of the sentences with because, as, and since: Because it was raining, I stayed at home. Because it was raining, I stayed at home. Note that this is not possible with so. Note that this is not possible with so.

Transitions Transitions Therefore, consequently, and as a result. Therefore, consequently, and as a result. All of these introduce an effect. All of these introduce an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. They are often used like this: They are often used like this: First sentence; transition, second sentence. First sentence; transition, second sentence. First sentence. Transition, second sentence. First sentence. Transition, second sentence. 1. It was raining; therefore, I stayed at home. 2. It was raining. Consequently, I stayed at home.

Practice Connect the ideas below by using the appropriate causal transitions and punctuation: Connect the ideas below by using the appropriate causal transitions and punctuation: 1. My computer froze/ I had to restart it. 2. I couldn't get it to start again / the battery was dead. 3. I had left it on all day / the battery died. 4. I want to apply for a job/ I had to rewrite my resume. 5. Cell phones have come down so much in price/ everyone seems to have a one. 6. Yousef went back to Saudi Arabia / he needed to take care of some business in his company. 7. People choose Apple computers / their ease of use.

Put a C (cause) and an E (effect) on the back of each for the answer then join between the two sentences: Put a C (cause) and an E (effect) on the back of each for the answer then join between the two sentences: 1. I had a hole in my pocket/ I lost my money. 2. I got a haircut/ my hair grew long 3. I studied real hard/ I got a good grade. 4. The phone rang / I picked up the receiver and said "hello".