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DM Lesson 1: Cause & Effect - Because & So

DISCOURSE MANAGEMENT

6/25/2026

Cause and effect connectors help us explain:

  • Why something happens (Cause)

  • What happens as a result (Effect)

Today's connectors:

  • Because = gives the reason (cause)

  • So = gives the result (effect)

WARM-UP

Answer using full sentences.

  1. Why are you learning English?

  2. What usually makes you feel happy?

  3. What do you do when you feel tired?

  4. What is something you want to improve this year?

  5. What did you do before this lesson?

TARGET LANGUAGE

Because

Use because to explain the reason.

Structure

Effect + because + Cause

Examples

  • I study English because I need it for work.

  • She stayed at home because she was sick.

  • We left early because it was raining.

  • He exercises regularly because he wants to stay healthy.

  • They moved house because they needed more space.

So

Use so to explain the result.

Structure

Cause + so + Effect

Examples

  • I need English for work, so I study English.

  • She was sick, so she stayed at home.

  • It was raining, so we left early.

  • He wants to stay healthy, so he exercises regularly.

  • They needed more space, so they moved house.

SAME IDEA, DIFFERENT DIRECTION

The meaning is often the same. The connector changes the sentence focus.

Using because

Effect + because + Cause

  • I am excited because the class is exciting.

  • She is tired because she worked late.

  • We are happy because we passed the exam.

Using so

Cause + so + Effect

  • The class is exciting, so I am excited.

  • She worked late, so she is tired.

  • We passed the exam, so we are happy.

ACTIVATION

Rewrite using because.

  1. She bought a new laptop. Her old one was broken.

  2. We stayed inside. It was raining heavily.

  3. He joined a gym. He wanted to get fitter.

  4. They moved to Madrid. They found a new job.

  5. I called my friend. I needed some advice.

Rewrite using so.

  1. Her old laptop was broken. She bought a new one.

  2. It was raining heavily. We stayed inside.

  3. He wanted to get fitter. He joined a gym.

  4. They found a new job. They moved to Madrid.

  5. I needed some advice. I called my friend.

PRACTICE

Choose because or so.

  1. I was hungry, ______ I made a sandwich.

  2. I made a sandwich ______ I was hungry.

  3. She missed the bus, ______ she arrived late.

  4. We cancelled the trip ______ the weather was terrible.

  5. The task was urgent, ______ we finished it immediately.

  6. He was nervous ______ it was his first presentation.

  7. The meeting ended early, ______ everyone went home.

  8. They practised every day ______ they wanted to improve.

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

Because

  • I ... because ...

  • That's because ...

  • Mainly because ...

  • The reason is that ...

So

  • ..., so I ...

  • ..., so we ...

  • ..., so they ...

  • ..., so that means ...

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

Try to answer using because and so.

  1. Why are you learning English?

  2. What makes you feel motivated?

  3. What did you do recently because you needed something?

  4. What is one habit you have because it helps you?

  5. What was a recent problem you had, and what happened as a result?

  6. Why did you choose your current job?

  7. Why do people learn foreign languages?

  8. What makes a good teacher?

  9. What is something that makes you feel stressed?

  10. What do you do when you feel stressed?

  11. Why do people change careers?

  12. What skill would you like to improve, and why?

  13. What makes a city a good place to live?

  14. What decision helped you the most in life?

  15. What goal do you have for this year?