Cause and effect – key IELTS vocabulary

The language of cause and effect is critical to IELTS – both in writing and speaking. The reason for this is that it helps answers the question “Why?” and allows you to give an extended and coherent answer. This post gives you some basic variations to try.

Test yourself

Before you start, try this quick quiz to see what you know. Can you find the common learner mistakes?

Because
 

Obviously the word you will use most is “because” but there are some useful variations.

notes

• “because” , ‘as a result”and “as a consequence” are used with a verb and “because of”,”as a result of” and “as a consequence of” with a noun
• some people believe you shouldn’t start sentences with “because”. This is rubbish but in the exam it may be sensible not to do it
• “due to” is normally used with negative situations and “thanks to with “positive situations”

Cause verbs
 

A useful variation is to use “because” as a verb. Here are the 3 main variations

notes
 

1. you cause something to happen but it results in something happening
2. 
   

Other related verbs
 

These verbs can also sometimes be used to describe cause and effect

notes
 

1. please note the spelling of “affect” as a verb and do not confuse it with “effect” the noun. Just to confuse you, the pronunciation is identical
2. 
   

Nouns
 

The essential nouns are of course “cause” and “effect’ but there are alternatives here;

notes
 

1. you talk about the cause of something but the reason for it
2. 
   

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