Cause & Reason Words in B2 Writing: Improve your writing
In any type of B2 writing you are likely to give opinions and as we have said about essay paragraph writing you commonly need to explain these opinions. Using cause and reason words can help you to do this.
Why Do We Use Cause and Reason Words in Writing?
Cause and reason words are useful in these ways
- Help you explain actions, results, or opinions more clearly.
- They show logical connections between ideas.
- They add support to ideas in all of your exam writing taks.
As with other linking words, without cause and reason words, your writing will be less connected and your scores may be affected. Here are two examples
- During the winter months, it can be difficult. There are very few things to eat.
- During the winter months, it can be difficult for animals to find food because of the cold and because there are very few things to eat.
The second example offers a more effective combination of the information and it adds further details.
Common Cause and Reason Words
Here are some important words and phrases you can use to explain causes and reasons:
- Because
- Because of
- Since
- As
- Due to
- Owing to
- Therefore
- Thus
- For this reason
Examples
Because | We stayed indoors because it was snowing heavily. |
Since | Since the bus was late, we missed the beginning of the movie. |
As | As it was getting dark, we decided to go home. |
Due to | The match was cancelled due to heavy rain. |
Owing to | Owing to a lack of interest, the event was postponed. |
Therefore | The roads were icy; therefore, we had to drive very carefully. |
Thus/So | She forgot to set an alarm; thus/so, she overslept. |
For this reason/ | The library will be closed tomorrow. For this reason/As a result, all books must be returned today. |
- Because, since and as introduce the cause before the result and all have the same meaning
- Due to, owing to are followed by a noun or noun phrase.
- Therefore, thus, for this reason introduce the result. These expressions are more formal and we could use as a result or so instead as less formal choices.
Tips for Using Cause and Reason Words
- Use because, since, or as when you want to explain the reason directly.
- Use therefore, thus, or for this reason to show the result in a more formal way — perfect for essays and reports.
- Be careful with due to and owing to: they are followed by a noun (“due to the rain”, not “due to it rained”).
- Try to vary your choice of these types of words.