Cause and Effect

Cause and Effect

Because

They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.

I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam.

He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive

Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the two clauses.

Since                            

Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.

They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30.

'Since' means the same as because. 'Since' tends to be used in more informal spoken English. Important note: "Since" when used as a conjunction is typically used to refer to a period of time, while "because" implies a cause or reason.

As long as

As long as you have the time, why don't you come for dinner?

'As long as' means the same as because. 'As long as' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.

As

As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep.

'As' means the same as because. 'As' tends to be used in more formal, written English.

In as much as

In as much as the students had successfully completed their exams, their parents rewarded their efforts by giving them a trip to Paris.

'Inasmuch as' means the same as because. 'Inasmuch as' is used in very formal, written English.

Due to the fact that

We will be staying for an extra week due to the fact that we haven not yet finished.

'Due to the fact that' means the same as because. 'Due to the fact that' is generally used in very formal, written English.

                 

CAUSE — EFFECT
Consequently serves as a transition from one sentence to the next. It introduces an effect of situation stated in the sentence before it. A comma is used after the connective (linking) adverb.
CAUSE		LINKING ADV +   EFFECT
She had no other options.		Consequently,  she married at thirteen.
She was not protected.		As a result,  she had a baby at thirteen.
She had no access to health education or medical clinics.		Therefore, she was more likely to get HIV.
There was poor sanitation in the village.		As a consequence,  she had health problems.
The water was impure in her village.		For this reason, she suffered from parasites.
She had no shoes, warm clothes or blankets.		For all these reason, she was often cold.
She had no resources to grow food. (land, seeds, tools)		Thus, she was hungry.
She had not been given a chance,		so² she was fighting for survival.
EFFECT — CAUSE
Because joins one clause with another clause. It introduces a cause (reason) for the situation stated in the other clause. A comma is not used when the connector is in mid-sentence position.
EFFECT	PREP. CAUSE
She married at thirteen	because she had no other options.