Linking words help you connect the ideas in a
sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn some
common linking words to
express reasons and results.

1.      Because / Because of
The difference between these two words is that because is followed by
a subject + verb, and because of is followed by a noun:
• The game was canceled because of the rain.
• The game was canceled because it was raining.
In spoken English, many people say ’cause as a short form of “because.”

2.      Due to / Owing to
2Due to and owing to are also followed by a noun. These words are a little
more formal.
There’s a lot of traffic today due to the upcoming holiday.
(holiday = noun)
The after-school program was canceled owing to lack of interest from
the students.
(lack = noun)

3.      Due to the fact that / Owing to the fact that
Use these phrases before a subject + verb. Again, these phrases are a little
more formal.
Many people are still unemployed due to the fact that the economic
recovery has been slower than anticipated.
The publisher rejected the author’s latest work owing to the fact that
the manuscript was full of errors.

4.      Since / As
Since and as are more informal, and they are followed by a subject +
verb.
• I’m going to bed at 10 PM since I need to get up early tomorrow.
• I didn’t go to the gym today, as I had a lot of homework to do.

5.      So
“So” is more informal, and more commonly used in spoken English.
We were hungry, so we stopped at a cafe for a snack.

6.      Therefore / Consequently / As a result
These words are more formal, and are more commonly used in written English
Our company’s profits have increased 150% in the past
year. Therefore, we’re going to invest in new equipment and training programs.
The tennis player had knee surgery mid-October; consequently,
She took the rest of the season off.
There have been heavy rains throughout the interior of the state. As a result, several areas have experienced flooding.


Source :
www.espressoenglish.net