Explaining why things happen
📖 DiscourseBefore we learn new phrases, let's check what you remember from previous lessons. Try to answer BEFORE clicking reveal!
For example... / The main reason is... / Another reason is... / This means... / That's why...
Today you'll learn 5 NEW phrases that connect causes to effects — some overlap with L8!
So,... → First,... → Then/After that,... → Suddenly,... → In the end,...
Today's cause-effect phrases work perfectly inside stories!
"I mean,..." — The most natural, everyday quick fix.
"I went on Tuesday... I mean, Wednesday."
❌ Basic answer:
"I learn English for my job."
✓ Extended answer:
"I learn English because I need it for my job. Because of this, I practice every day. As a result, my confidence is improving."
Today's Goal: Learn 5 phrases that connect causes to their effects, making your explanations longer and clearer.
Good explanations link causes to effects in a clear chain:
| Connector | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so | ⚡ Result | "I was tired, so I went to bed early." |
| Because of this, | 📙 Consequence | "The train was late. Because of this, I missed my meeting." |
| That's why | 💡 Explanation | "I love music. That's why I play guitar every day." |
| As a result, | 📘 Formal | "I practiced every day. As a result, my English improved." |
| This means | 🔮 Implication | "The shop is closed. This means we need to go somewhere else." |
"It was raining, so we stayed home."
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🎤 Now you try — say your sentence aloud!
"My alarm didn't ring. Because of this, I was late for work."
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🎤 Now you try — say your sentence aloud!
"I love cooking. That's why I watch cooking shows every weekend."
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🎤 Now you try — say your sentence aloud!
"She practiced every day. As a result, her English improved a lot."
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🎤 Now you try — say your sentence aloud!
"The bus drivers are on strike. This means I have to walk to work."
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🎤 Now you try — say your sentence aloud!
Read this example aloud. Notice how cause-effect connectors make the explanation clear and long:
"Well, I started learning English because my company works with international clients. Because of this, I need to write emails in English every day. I also have meetings in English. As a result, my speaking has improved a lot. I really enjoy it now. That's why I also watch English shows at home."
Count: 4 connectors used! The answer is long and clear.
Exercise 1: Fill in the connector — "I forgot my umbrella..."
💬 Which connector fits?
"I forgot my umbrella, so I got completely wet."
"so" joins cause + effect in ONE sentence
Exercise 2: Fill in the connector — "The restaurant was full."
💬 Which connector fits?
"The restaurant was full. Because of this, we went to a different one."
"Because of this" starts a NEW sentence
Exercise 3: Fill in the connector — "I really enjoy cooking."
💬 Which connector fits?
"I really enjoy cooking. That's why I want to take a cooking class."
"That's why" explains the reason naturally
Complete each sentence with the correct connector. Say your answer aloud!
1. "She studied very hard. , she passed the exam."
2. "The film was boring, we left early."
3. "The airport is closed tomorrow. we need to change our travel plans."
4. "I love animals. I want to be a vet."
💬 Word bank — choose from:
1. "As a result, she passed the exam." (formal outcome)
2. "...boring, so we left early." (one sentence, quick result)
3. "This means we need to change our travel plans." (implication)
4. "That's why I want to be a vet." (explains reason)
Now practice ALL 5 connectors mixed together. Choose the BEST connector for each situation. Say your full answer aloud, then check!
"I missed the bus this morning, so I had to walk to work."
⚡ "so" — one sentence, quick cause → effect
"I moved to a new city last year. Because of this, I had to find new friends."
📙 "Because of this" — new sentence, consequence
"I'm afraid of flying. That's why I always travel by train."
💡 "That's why" — natural explanation of a habit
"He saved money for two years. As a result, he could buy a car."
📘 "As a result" — formal, achievement outcome
"The supermarket near my house closed down. This means I have to drive to the next town to buy food."
🔮 "This means" — explains the implication
"It was very cold outside, so I wore my warmest coat."
⚡ "so" — quick everyday result
Key question to ask yourself: Am I joining ONE sentence (use "so") or starting a NEW sentence (use the others)?
The real power of these connectors is chaining them together. One cause leads to an effect, which becomes the cause of the next effect!
"I started learning English two years ago, so I watch English shows now. Because of this, I understand more words. As a result, I feel much more confident when I speak."
Topic: "I got a new phone..."
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Topic: "I started going to the gym..."
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The Chain Formula:
Cause + so + Effect 1. Because of this / That's why + Effect 2. As a result / This means + Effect 3.
Speak for 2 minutes per topic. Use at least 3 cause-effect connectors!
🎯 Topic 1: A Decision You Made
"Tell me about a decision you made and what happened because of it."
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🎯 Topic 2: Why You Like Something
"What's something you love doing? Explain why and what it leads to."
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🎯 Topic 3: A Chain of Events
"Think of a time when one thing led to another to another. Tell the story."
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Challenge: Can you speak for 2 full minutes without stopping? The cause-effect connectors help you keep going!
Quick retrieval from previous lessons. Try to remember BEFORE revealing!
1. [A] is comparative than [B] → "Cities are bigger than villages."
2. [A] is not as adjective as [B] → "Villages are not as noisy as cities."
3. [A] is similar to / different from [B] → "City life is different from village life."
💡 Combine: "Cities are bigger than villages, so there are more things to do."
Rule 3 — Long words (2+ syllables): add "more" → more expensive
"This restaurant is more expensive than that one, so we chose the cheaper one."
"For example,..." / "This means..." / "The main reason is..." / "Another reason is..." / "That's why..."
💡 Notice: "This means" and "That's why" are ALSO cause-effect connectors from today's lesson!
"I mean,..." / "Actually,..." / "Or rather,..." / "What I meant was..." / "Let me rephrase that..."
💡 Combine: "I was late because the bus... I mean, the train was cancelled, so I had to walk."
Without looking back — can you remember today's 5 connectors?
1. ⚡ so — joins cause + effect in ONE sentence
2. 📙 Because of this, — starts a NEW sentence with consequence
3. 💡 That's why — explains reasons naturally
4. 📘 As a result, — formal consequence
5. 🔮 This means — explains implications
"so" — "I was tired, so I went home early."
All the others start a NEW sentence.
"I got a new job in another city, so I had to move. Because of this, I don't see my old friends as often."
"I can explain causes and effects using connectors like 'so', 'because of this', 'that's why', 'as a result', and 'this means'."
How confident do you feel?
1 = Not yet confident → 5 = Very confident
Think about these questions:
1. Which connector feels the most natural for you?
2. Which one do you need to practise more?
3. When will you use one of these connectors this week?
This Week's Challenge: Every time you explain WHY something happened, use at least ONE connector!
"I was late to work, so..." ✓