Signal Words for Cause and Effect

Spot the words 'because', 'so', and 'since' that link causes and effects.

Authors often use signal words to show cause and effect. 'Because' and 'since' come right before a cause: 'We stayed in because it was raining. ' 'So' comes right before an effect: 'It was raining, so we stayed in.

' Notice that both sentences mean the same thing, but the signal word moves. Other signals are 'that's why' and 'as a result'. Read: 'The baby was tired, so she took a nap. ' The word 'so' points to the effect: she took a nap. Tired is the cause.

• 1'because' and 'since' come before a cause.
• 2'so' comes before an effect.
• 3Signal words help you find cause and effect.