Linking Words for Reasons and Results: 40+ Examples & Guide

A common frustration for intermediate students is this: they know the grammar, they know the vocabulary, but their writing sounds choppy. Sentences feel isolated from each other. The fix? Linking words. These small connectors — because, therefore, as a result, consequently — are what turn a list of facts into flowing prose. They’re invisible to native speakers, but learners who master them instantly sound more fluent.

I’ll teach you the main linking words for reasons (why something happened) and results (what came from it). I’ll show you how each word changes the tone and structure of your sentence, and I’ll give you 40+ examples you can use in essays, emails, and everyday writing.

Understanding Cause and Effect in English

Linking words for reason and result fall into two categories: words that introduce the cause (why something happened) and words that introduce the result (what came from it).

Cause = reason. Example: “I was late because 🔊 🎤 I missed the bus.”

Result = effect or consequence. Example: “I missed the bus; therefore 🔊 🎤, I was late.”

The difference is subtle but important. Using the right word makes your writing clear and professional.

Linking Words for Reason (Cause)

Use these words when you’re explaining why 🔊 🎤 something happened.

Most Common: Because, Since, As

These three are the most flexible and natural in both formal and informal contexts.

Word	Structure	Register	Example
Because	Because + clause	All registers	“I went home because I was tired.”
Since	Since + clause	Formal or temporal	“Since you’re here, we can start the meeting.”
As	As + clause	Formal	“As it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.”
Because of	Because of + noun	All registers	“We cancelled because of the rain.”

Examples in context:

✓ Correct: I skipped breakfast because 🔊 🎤 I overslept.

✓ Correct: Since 🔊 🎤 the road was closed, we took a detour.

✓ Correct: The meeting was postponed because of 🔊 🎤 a technical issue.

Formal Reason Words

When you need to sound more official or academic, use these words.

Word/Phrase	Structure	Tone	Example
Due to	Due to + noun	Formal, written	“The concert was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Owing to	Owing to + noun	Formal, written	“Owing to budget constraints, we reduced staff.”
On account of	On account of + noun	Formal, old-fashioned	“On account of the storm, flights were delayed.”
In view of	In view of + noun	Formal, legal	“In view of recent developments, we must reconsider.”
Inasmuch as	Inasmuch as + clause	Very formal, legal	“Inasmuch as the contract stipulates…”
Given that	Given that + clause	Formal, analytical	“Given that sales have increased, we should expand.”

Examples in context:

✓ Correct (formal): The project was delayed due to 🔊 🎤 unexpected technical challenges.

✓ Correct (very formal): Inasmuch as 🔊 🎤 the original proposal was rejected, we submitted a revised version.

Casual/Spoken Reason Words

Word/Phrase	Use when…	Example
Cause of	Describing what caused something (noun, not connector)	“The cause of the accident was speeding.” (Note: use “because of” as a connector instead)
Thanks to	Crediting someone/something positive	“Thanks to your help, we finished on time.”
With	Showing accompaniment leading to a result	“With all this rain, the garden is thriving.”

Linking Words for Results (Effects)

Use these words when you’re describing what happened 🔊 🎤 as a consequence or result.

Most Common: Therefore, Consequently, As a Result, So

Word/Phrase	Punctuation	Register	Example
Therefore	Semicolon; Then word, or comma.	Formal	“He was late; therefore, he missed the meeting.”
Consequently	Semicolon; Then word, or comma.	Formal	“The budget was cut; consequently, we had to reduce staff.”
As a result	Period/semicolon before; new sentence.	Neutral-formal	“The rain was heavy. As a result, roads were flooded.”
So	Conjunction (no punctuation before).	Casual-neutral	“I was tired, so I went to bed early.”
Thus	Semicolon; Then word, or comma.	Very formal	“The evidence is clear; thus, the defendant is guilty.”
Hence	Semicolon; Then word, or comma.	Very formal	“All employees were trained; hence, no errors occurred.”

Examples in context:

✓ Correct: We didn’t receive the payment on time. As a result 🔊 🎤, the invoice was marked overdue.

✓ Correct: The server crashed; therefore 🔊 🎤, we lost an hour of work.

✓ Correct: I finished my work early, so 🔊 🎤 I left the office at 4 pm.

Formal/Academic Result Words

Word/Phrase	Structure	Register	Example
As a consequence	New sentence or clause	Formal	“The company merged with its rival. As a consequence, 50 employees were laid off.”
In consequence	Period/semicolon before	Very formal	“The law was repealed. In consequence, businesses could now operate 24/7.”
Accordingly	Semicolon; Then word, or comma	Formal, legal	“We reviewed all options; accordingly, we decided to expand.”
It follows that	+ clause	Academic	“If A implies B, it follows that C must be true.”

Structure: How to Use Cause and Result Words

The way you position these words changes your sentence structure.

Cause Words (Before the reason)

Pattern 1: Cause + result

“Because 🔊 🎤 it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.”

Pattern 2: Result + cause

“We cancelled the picnic because 🔊 🎤 it was raining.”

Both are correct. Choose based on what you want to emphasize.

Result Words (After the cause, before the result)

Pattern 1: Two independent clauses (with semicolon)

“It was raining; therefore 🔊 🎤, we cancelled the picnic.”

Pattern 2: Two separate sentences

“It was raining. Therefore 🔊 🎤, we cancelled the picnic.”

Pattern 3: One continuous clause (with “so”)

“It was raining, so 🔊 🎤 we cancelled the picnic.”

Sample Dialogues: Cause and Result in Action

Common Mistakes with Linking Words

✗ Incorrect: The weather was bad, therefore we went to the beach.

✓ Correct: The weather was bad; therefore 🔊 🎤, we didn’t go to the beach.

Why: Logic — bad weather leads to cancellation, not going anyway.

✗ Incorrect: We cancelled due to the rain was heavy.

✓ Correct: We cancelled due to 🔊 🎤 the heavy rain.

Why: “Due to” takes a noun or noun phrase, not a clause. Use “because” for clauses.

✗ Incorrect: He was sick. So, he went to work.

✓ Correct: He was sick, so 🔊 🎤 he stayed home.

Why: Logic again. “So” shows a natural consequence; use it when the result makes sense.

✗ Incorrect: The cause of the accident was because he was speeding.

✓ Correct: The accident happened because 🔊 🎤 he was speeding.

Why: Don’t double up “cause” + “because.” Pick one.

Cause and Result in Different Contexts

Academic Writing

In essays and research papers, use formal linking words like “due to,” “as a result,” “consequently,” and “therefore.” Avoid “so” unless you’re quoting someone.

Example: “Climate change is accelerating; consequently 🔊 🎤, polar ice is melting faster than previously predicted.”

Business Communication

Use a mix of formal and neutral words. “Therefore,” “as a result,” and “due to” are all appropriate. “So” is acceptable in more casual business emails.

Example: “The Q3 budget was reduced due to 🔊 🎤 lower-than-expected revenue. Therefore 🔊 🎤, we’ve had to postpone hiring.”

Casual Speech and Writing

Use “because,” “so,” and “thanks to.” Formal words like “inasmuch as” or “in view of” would sound out of place.

Example: “I didn’t go to the party because 🔊 🎤 I was tired, so 🔊 🎤 I stayed home instead.”

Related Grammar Topics

• Transition Words in English: A Complete Guide — broader category of connecting words
• Conjunctions in English: Coordinating and Subordinating — understand how these words function grammatically
• Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS Explained — includes “so” and other connectors
• Subordinating Conjunctions: 50+ Examples — includes “because” and other reason words
• ↑ Back to pillar: Linking Words (Pillar)

Frequently Asked Questions

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• ↑ Master Pillar: English Grammar

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