🔗 Discourse Markers: Cause & Effect

Mastering Causal Relationships and Logical Connections

🎯 Objective

To help learners master discourse markers for cause and effect - connecting words and phrases that establish clear logical relationships between actions, events, and their consequences in academic and professional communication.

📖 What are Cause & Effect Discourse Markers?

Cause and effect discourse markers are linking expressions that show how one event leads to another, helping readers understand logical relationships, consequences, and reasoning in complex explanations.

Type Function Examples Usage
Cause Markers Introduce reasons because of, due to, owing to X happened because of Y
Effect Markers Show results as a result, consequently, therefore X happened, therefore Y
Purpose Markers Express intentions in order to, so that, with the aim of X was done so that Y
Conditional Markers Show conditions if, unless, provided that Y will happen if X occurs

📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Cause & Effect Relationships

Understanding Causal Logic

Key Concept: Cause and effect markers create logical chains of reasoning, showing how events, actions, or conditions lead to specific outcomes. They're essential for analytical writing, problem-solving, and scientific explanation.

Direction: Markers can point backward to causes or forward to effects, depending on your rhetorical strategy.

Category 1: Introducing Causes (Backward-Looking)

🎯 Direct Causation

Function: Point to specific, clear causes of events

Examples:

  • Because of / Due to: "Sales dropped because of the recession."
  • Owing to / Thanks to: "Success was achieved owing to careful planning."
  • As a result of: "As a result of poor maintenance, the machine failed."
  • On account of: "The flight was delayed on account of bad weather."

Grammar: These are followed by nouns or noun phrases, not full clauses

🔍 Complex Causation

Function: Introduce clauses explaining causes

Examples:

  • Since / As: "Since the weather was bad, we cancelled the trip."
  • Given that: "Given that resources are limited, we must prioritize."
  • In view of the fact that: "In view of the fact that costs have risen, prices will increase."
  • Seeing that: "Seeing that demand is high, we'll increase production."

Formality: "Given that" and "in view of the fact that" are more formal

📊 Statistical/Evidence-Based Causes

Function: Reference data or evidence as causation

Examples:

  • In light of: "In light of recent studies, policy changes are needed."
  • Based on: "Based on customer feedback, we redesigned the product."
  • Considering: "Considering the environmental impact, alternatives were explored."
  • In the wake of: "In the wake of the scandal, new regulations were imposed."

Category 2: Showing Effects (Forward-Looking)

⚡ Immediate Consequences

As a result / Consequently: Direct, inevitable outcomes

  • "The bridge collapsed. As a result, traffic was diverted."
  • "Funding was cut. Consequently, the project was cancelled."

Therefore / Thus: Logical conclusions

  • "All evidence points to fraud. Therefore, an investigation began."
  • "Costs exceeded budget. Thus, emergency funding was requested."

Hence / Accordingly: Formal logical outcomes

  • "The data was inconclusive. Hence, further research is needed."
  • "Policy changed last month. Accordingly, procedures must be updated."
🌊 Chain Reactions

This led to / This resulted in: Specific outcomes

  • "Demand increased rapidly. This led to supply shortages."
  • "Security was breached. This resulted in system-wide vulnerabilities."

In turn / Subsequently: Secondary effects

  • "Prices rose, which in turn reduced consumer spending."
  • "The merger was completed. Subsequently, operations were consolidated."

The upshot was / The outcome was: Final results

  • "Negotiations continued for months. The upshot was a compromise agreement."

Category 3: Purpose and Intention

🎯 Expressing Purpose

In order to / So as to: Formal purpose

  • "Security was increased in order to prevent further breaches."
  • "Staff were retrained so as to improve customer service."

So that / In order that: Purpose with full clauses

  • "We left early so that we could avoid traffic."
  • "Policies were changed in order that compliance could be ensured."

With the aim of / With a view to: Formal intentions

  • "The program was launched with the aim of reducing poverty."
  • "Meetings were scheduled with a view to reaching agreement."
🚫 Preventing Negative Outcomes

To prevent / To avoid: Negative purpose

  • "Backup systems were installed to prevent data loss."
  • "The meeting was postponed to avoid conflicts with the holiday."

Lest / For fear that: Formal prevention (less common)

  • "Speak quietly lest you wake the baby."
  • "We arrived early for fear that we might miss the start."

Category 4: Conditional Relationships

🔮 Real Conditions

Function: Show realistic cause-effect possibilities

Examples:

  • If / When: "If sales increase, we'll hire more staff."
  • Provided that / As long as: "Success is guaranteed provided that quality is maintained."
  • Unless: "The project will fail unless funding is secured."
  • On condition that: "Approval was given on condition that safety standards were met."
❓ Hypothetical Conditions

Function: Explore imaginary cause-effect scenarios

Examples:

  • If (hypothetical): "If we had invested earlier, we would be profitable now."
  • Suppose / Supposing: "Suppose demand doubled tomorrow, could we meet it?"
  • In the event that: "In the event that negotiations fail, litigation will follow."
  • Should (formal): "Should problems arise, contact management immediately."

Advanced Cause-Effect Patterns

🔄 Multiple Causation

Contributing factors: Multiple causes for one effect

  • "The failure was due to a combination of poor planning, inadequate funding, and unrealistic timelines."
  • "Success resulted from not only hard work but also favorable market conditions."

Chain causation: A causes B, which causes C

  • "The drought reduced crop yields, which in turn led to higher prices, ultimately resulting in food shortages."
⚖️ Contrasting Causes

While one factor / Despite another: Competing influences

  • "While technology improved efficiency, it also increased unemployment."
  • "Despite heavy investment, profits declined due to market conditions."

Common Usage Mistakes

✅ Correct Usage:
  • "Due to the rain, the game was cancelled." (noun phrase)
  • "Because it was raining, the game was cancelled." (full clause)
  • "The economy improved. As a result, employment rose."
  • "We invested in training so that productivity would increase."
❌ Common Errors:
  • "Due to it was raining..." (mixing due to + clause)
  • "Because of the weather was bad..." (mixing because of + clause)
  • "The reason is because..." (redundant)
  • "So that to improve..." (mixing so that + infinitive)

🧩 Task: Improve Causal Connections in Academic Text

Read the academic text below about climate change effects. Identify weak causal connections and improve them with appropriate discourse markers.

📝 Student Text:

Climate change is affecting global agriculture. Temperatures are rising around the world. Many crops cannot grow in extremely hot conditions. Food production is decreasing in some regions. Farmers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods. Governments are implementing new agricultural policies. Some countries are investing in drought-resistant crops. Scientists are developing new farming techniques. The goal is to adapt to changing climate conditions. Traditional farming methods are becoming less effective. Irrigation systems need to be upgraded. Water scarcity is a growing problem. Food prices are increasing globally. Consumers are feeling the economic impact. International cooperation is essential. We need to address climate change urgently. Future food security depends on the actions we take today.

1. ❌ Add appropriate cause markers to show why food production is decreasing.

2. ❌ Include effect markers to show consequences of agricultural changes.

3. ✅ Add purpose markers to explain why governments and scientists are taking action.

4. ✅ Create a stronger concluding paragraph using conditional markers about future outcomes.

✅ Answer Key & Explanation

1. ❌ Cause Markers for Food Production:

Missing connection: "Temperatures are rising... Many crops cannot grow..."

Improved: "Due to rising temperatures, many crops cannot grow in extremely hot conditions."

Alternative: "As a result of climate change, temperatures are rising. Consequently, many crops cannot survive in these extreme conditions."

Why needed: Readers need clear causal links between climate change and agricultural impact.

2. ❌ Effect Markers for Consequences:

Missing connection: "Food production is decreasing... Farmers are struggling..."

Improved: "As a result, food production is decreasing in some regions. Consequently, farmers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods."

Chain effects: "This has led to decreased food production, which in turn affects farmers' livelihoods."

Economic impact: "Therefore, food prices are increasing globally, and consumers are feeling the economic impact."

3. ✅ Purpose Markers for Actions:

Government action: "In order to address these challenges, governments are implementing new agricultural policies."

Investment purpose: "Some countries are investing in drought-resistant crops with the aim of maintaining food security."

Scientific research: "Scientists are developing new farming techniques so that agriculture can adapt to changing climate conditions."

System upgrades: "Irrigation systems need to be upgraded to prevent water waste and improve efficiency."

4. ✅ Conditional Conclusion:

Sample conclusion: "International cooperation is essential for addressing this global challenge. If we fail to take urgent action on climate change, future food security will be severely compromised. However, provided that governments, scientists, and farmers work together to implement sustainable solutions, we can ensure adequate food production for future generations. Unless immediate steps are taken to develop climate-resilient agriculture, the consequences for global food systems will be irreversible."

🏆 Improved Academic Text

Climate change is significantly affecting global agriculture. Due to global warming, temperatures are rising around the world. As a result, many crops cannot grow in extremely hot conditions. Consequently, food production is decreasing in some regions, which in turn means that farmers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods.

In response to these challenges, governments are implementing new agricultural policies. With the aim of ensuring food security, some countries are investing in drought-resistant crops. Similarly, scientists are developing new farming techniques in order to help agriculture adapt to changing climate conditions. However, traditional farming methods are becoming less effective. Furthermore, irrigation systems need to be upgraded to prevent water waste, particularly since water scarcity is a growing problem.

As a direct result of these agricultural disruptions, food prices are increasing globally. Therefore, consumers are feeling the economic impact of climate change. Given the scale of this challenge, international cooperation is essential.

Unless we address climate change urgently, future food security will be severely compromised. If governments, scientists, and farmers work together to implement sustainable solutions, we can maintain adequate food production. However, provided that immediate action is taken, the global community can develop climate-resilient agricultural systems. Ultimately, future food security depends on the collective actions we take today.

Cause & Effect Analysis:
  • ✅ Clear causation: "Due to global warming" → "As a result" → "Consequently"
  • ✅ Chain effects: "which in turn means that" shows secondary consequences
  • ✅ Purpose markers: "With the aim of," "in order to," "to prevent"
  • ✅ Response markers: "In response to these challenges"
  • ✅ Conditional outcomes: "Unless," "If," "provided that"
  • ✅ Evidence-based causation: "Given the scale of this challenge"
Improvements Made:

Logical flow: Added clear connections between climate change → temperature rise → crop failure → farmer struggles

Response clarity: Explained why governments and scientists are taking action

Economic chain: Connected agricultural problems to consumer impact

Future scenarios: Used conditionals to show possible outcomes

Academic tone: Maintained formal register appropriate for academic writing

Discourse Marker Functions:

Causation: Due to, As a result, Consequently, As a direct result of

Purpose: With the aim of, in order to, to prevent

Response: In response to these challenges

Evidence: Given the scale of this challenge

Conditions: Unless, If, provided that

Addition: Furthermore, Similarly

Contrast: However

Conclusion: Ultimately