Signal words - giving reasons

Signal words

Signal words to give reasons.
cause-effect relationships.

When you read a text try to identify the cause and effects within the story to help you identify how events and ideas are related to each other.

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Look for signal words like because, if/then, since, so, therefore,

and as a result as a signal.

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Common signal words for cause and effect:

• Because

• So

• Since

• As

• As a result

• Therefore

BECAUSE

We use "because" to explain the cause of something.

-She always gets poor marks in the exams because she doesn't study.

-I want to go to bed early tonight because I'm to tired.

-We can't buy that car because it's too expensive.

SO

We use "so" to explain the effect something. This word can be only at the middle of a sentence.

-He is deaf so he can't hear you.

-Brian is overweight, so he can't run fast.

-I have got an example tomorrow, so I'm studying hard.

As

The reason is already known.

As we read, we learn.

Since

The reason is already known. (more formal than as)

Since we were in the computer lab, our English has improved.

As

As can introduce the reason or cause.

-As we read, we learn.
-As it was getting late, we decided to head home.
-She was feeling unwell, as she hadn’t slept well the night before.

Since

Since can also indicate a cause-and-effect relationship (more formal than as)

-Since we were in the computer lab, our English has improved.
-Since it was raining, we decided to stay indoors.
-She was late since her bus was delayed.

Therefore

We use therefore to introduce a conclusion drawn from previous statements.

-It was raining heavily; therefore, the match was postponed.
-The weather forecast predicted a big storm. Therefore, classes were cancelled.

As a result

We use as a result also to indicate a consequence, but can feel a bit more formal.

-The team practiced hard all week; as a result, they won the game
-The weather forecast predicted a big storm. Therefore, classes were cancelled.

Multiple Choice

1. ______________ it was dark and rainy, I couldn’t see the road signs well. (formal sentence)

• because

• As

• since

• so

Multiple Choice

Angela is very patient. ____, she can work very well.

• As a result

• because

• Since

Multiple Choice

He wants to join the school's basketball team, ..... he ....... every day.

• so / trains

• and / trains

• but / train

• and / train

Multiple Choice

Hansel is from Mexico ........ she can't speak Turkish fluently.

• because

• but

• and

• so

Multiple Choice

2. The kitchen was flooded, ______________ we had to go to a restaurant

• because

• since

• as

• so

Multiple Choice

Shelly can use a computer ........ she can play computer games.

• so

• and

• because

• but

Multiple Choice

I can fix my car .......... I am a mechanic.

• because

• and

• but

• so

Multiple Choice

3. I can’t lend you any money ______________ I don´t have any.

• because

• since

• so

• as

Multiple Choice

Mary lost her Octopus card. ____ she was sad.

• because

• so

• Therefore,

Multiple Choice

______________ we don’t have to study today, let’s go to a picnic

• since

• because

• as

• so

Multiple Choice

Rose often ........ her parents ....... she fells lonely in that city.

• call / but

• call / because

• calls / because

• calls / and

Multiple Choice

The traffic was very heavy. .................. I arrived late.

• Therefore,
• As

• Since

Fill in the Blanks

1. Paul was an hour late. He missed the train. (because)

Fill in the Blanks

I borrowed your lawn mower. You weren’t using it. (as)

Fill in the Blanks

We had no electricity during the storm. We had to use candles. (so)

Fill in the Blanks

He needed a good mark. He studied hard for the test. (since)

Fill in the Blanks

It’s raining. We have decided to stay at home. (As)

Fill in the Blanks

Tim won’t be able to go with us to the theatre. He has to work. (because)

Fill in the Blanks

Would you consider it? He asked nicely. (since)

Fill in the Blanks

Mary joined the school theatre. she wanted to increase her circle of friends. (as)

Fill in the Blanks

I´ve forgotten my password. I can’t read my email. (so)