Cause and Result Linking Words

Question 1

to attribute sth to

Answer 1

to say that sth was caused by

e.g. Most historians attribute his downfall to his involvement in the Redgate scandal.

Question 2

to be / come as a consequence of

Answer 2

to happen because of

e.g. Acid rain is a consequence of the burning of fossil fuels.

Question 3

sth can be put down to

Answer 3

sth happens because of
e.g. The doctors put his ill health down to the fact that he was working too much.
The doctor said that his ill health could be put down to the fact that he was working too much.

Question 4

due to / owing to + noun / -ing form

Answer 4

because of the fact that
e.g. The match had to be called off due to adverse weather conditions.
We had to call the match off owing to the fact that the pitch was waterlogged.

Question 5

sth led to + noun / -ing form

Answer 5

sth happened because of sth else

e.g. Her refusal to give a blood sample after the match led to her disqualification.

Question 6

to be responsible for + noun / -ing form

Answer 6

to be the reason for sth happening

e.g. Though he denied everything, he was clearly responsible for the fire.

Question 7

to result in + noun / -ing form

Answer 7

to cause to happen

e.g. The scandal resulted in his resignation / resigning.

Question 8

to stem from

Answer 8

to happen because of; often used for problems, unrest, discontent, trouble, etc
e.g. Most of their economic problems stem from the fact that their government is so incompetent.

Question 9

to trigger off

Answer 9

to cause sth to happen

e.g. The government’s decision to tax savings triggered off widespread rioting throughout the country.