There are many words and phrases that we can choose to show cause-and-effect relationships. Here are some of the most common.

• because of
• so
• since
• thus
• therefore
• as a result of
• consequently
• due to
• led to
• caused
• hence

Turn and Talk

Try to use as many of these words and phrases as possible to express this example of a cause-and-effect relationship:

Cause: companies polluted the rivers

Effect: fish died

Many fish died as a result of big companies dumping pollution in rivers.

Writing Practice

What are some other cause-and-effect relationships in the Science Scene? Use the words and phrases to the left to show these relationships.

For example:

Since the bug spray doesn’t harm Keith, he doesn’t think it will harm the animals.