Linking Words of Reason

Linking words of reason:

a) Because, as, since

When we want to express the reason for something, we can use because, as or since. They have the same meaning but usually because is stronger than as and since.

They can start the sentence, or they can go in the middle of the sentence. However, only because can start an answer to a question.

I made a sandwich because/as/since I was hungry.

Because/since/as I was hungry, I made a sandwich.

Note: ‘Why did you make a sandwich?’

‘Because/as/since I was hungry.’

b) So, therefore

So and therefore mean ‘for this reason’. Other expressions we can use: consequently, as a result, because of that, hence.

I wanted to talk to my friend so I phoned her.

I wanted to talk to my friend. Therefore/Consequently, I phoned her.

Compare: I phoned my friend because I wanted to talk to her.

c) Due to, as a result, etc.

When we want to talk about the reason for something, we can use the following expressions: due to, as a result of, owing to, because of, on account of , thanks to.

We have to use a noun or a gerund after these expressions.