Linking Words: Reasons and Results

Linking words help you connect the ideas in a sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn some common linking words to express reasons and results.

Linking Words: Reasons

Because / Because of

The difference between these two words is that because is followed by a subject + verb, and because of is followed by a noun:

Note: In spoken English, many people say ’cause as a short form of “because.”

Due to / Owing to

Due to and owing to are also followed by a noun. These words are a little more formal.

There’s a lot of traffic today due to the upcoming holiday. (holiday = noun)
The after-school program was canceled owing to lack of interest from the students. (lack = noun)

Due to the fact that / Owing to the fact that

Use these phrases before a subject + verb. Again, these phrases are a little more formal.

Many people are still unemployed due to the fact that the economic recovery has been slower than anticipated.
The publisher rejected the author’s latest work owing to the fact that the manuscript was full of errors.

Since / As

Since and as are more informal, and they are followed by a subject + verb.

Linking Words: Results

Therefore / Consequently / As a result

These words are more formal, and are more commonly used in written English.

Our company’s profits have increased 150% in the past year. Therefore, we’re going to invest in new equipment and training programs.
The tennis player had knee surgery mid-October; consequently, she took the rest of the season off.
There have been heavy rains throughout the interior of the state. As a result, several areas have experienced flooding.

“So” is more informal, and more commonly used in spoken English.