Cause and Effect

hi everyone 
To begin, you should know the definitions of cause, effect (noun), and affect (verb).

(When effect is a verb, it is spelled with an a = affect.)

Cause

(noun) a person or thing that makes something happen

• The cause of the accident was a flat tire.
  
  
  
  

(verb) an action that makes something happen

• The flat tire caused the car to wreck.
  
  
  
  

Effect

(noun) a change that is a result of an action or cause

• The snowstorm had an effect on his mood.
  
  
  
  

Affect

When effect is used as a verb, it is usually spelled with an a = affect.


(verb) to produce an effect; to cause a change in something.

• The snowstorm affected his mood.
  
  

Talking about causes and effects in English

To express cause and effect in English, we us certain words and phrases.

• due to
  
  
• because of
  
  
• owing to
  
  
• thanks to
  
  
• as a consequence of
  
  
• as a result of
  
  
• because
  
  
• since
  
  
• as
  
  
• for

To express cause and effect, these words or phrases will either be followed by a noun or a verb.

Followed by a noun

These cause/effect phrases are followed by a noun or noun phrase.

• due to
  
  
• because of
  
  
• owing to
  
  
• as a consequence of
  
  
• as a result of
  
  
• thanks to

In the following examples, the noun or noun phrase will be underlined.

The cause always comes after the cause/effect signal word or phrase.

Followed by a verb

These cause/effect signal words are followed by a subject + verb or verb phrase

• because
  
  
• since
  
  
• as
  
  
• for