OK, I know a pretty boring topic but I thought it would be useful to post this simple summary I’ve based on https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-10/tab/grammar. There’s nothing like linking words to scramble the brain, but it’s not as complicated as it seems.
Summary
Linking devices are used to link one idea or argument to another. A common situation is when we are talking about something that happens and its result, or a cause and its effect.
- [CAUSE] The population has increased. [EFFECT] The government is going to build more houses.
Group one
Therefore, consequently, as a result, thus
- Join two ideas together
- Usually placed between the two ideas
- Are followed by a comma
- Come before the effect
[CAUSE] [EFFECT]
The temperatures are rising therefore, there are more floods
consequently,
as a result,
thus, (Watch out! old fashioned)
Group two
because of, as a result of, due to, owing to*
- – Come before a noun phrase
- e.g. the time of day / a rise of temperature / warmer Summers
- – or participle clause (beginning with a verb, usually in the -ing form)
- e.g. *melting ice / rising sea levels / increasing carbon emissions
- – Come before the cause at the beginning or end of the sentence.
[CAUSE] [EFFECT]
Because of
Due to melting ice, the sea levels will rise
Owing to
As a result of
Or…
[EFFECT] [CAUSE]
The sea levels will rise due to melting ice.
owing to
because of
as a result of
So, that’s it from me!
Take care and ’til then
Sally