Grammar Reference

Functions and notions

Cause and result

We can express cause and result with the words in the tables. Examples of each of these structures are included below the tables.

Cause expressions

Conjunctions

Prepositions

Verbs

since + clause

because + clause

because of + noun / verb + -ing

due to + noun / verb + -ing

on account of + noun / verb + -ing

cause + noun / infinitive verb

be caused by + noun / verb + -ing

bring about + noun


Result expressions

result in + noun / verb + -ing

lead to + noun / verb + -ing

 

Cause expressions

Since

Since is quite formal, and it means the same as because. Since connects two clauses and introduces the subordinate clause. When the subordinate clause is at the beginning of a sentence, a comma separates the two clauses.

Because

Because is a conjunction, so it is followed by a clause. It behaves the same way as since.

Because of / due to

Because of and due to are two-word prepositions, so they are followed by a noun or a verb + -ing.

On account of

On account of is used in the same way as due to, but is more informal.

Cause and be caused by

Be caused by is the passive form of the verb cause. Be caused by is followed by a noun, or by a verb + -ing.

Bring about

Bring about is a phrasal verb. It means the same as cause. Bring about is followed by a noun. It is often used in the passive.

 

Result expressions

Result in and lead to

Result in and lead to are both verbs which refer to results.