Vocabulary
Causes
UNCERTAINTY ABOUT CAUSES
- Perhaps … is a cause of …
- One possible cause is …
- Another cause can also be …
- If you do not know it …
- … may/might play a role …
INTRODUCING CAUSES
- The primary/main cause of … is …
- A second cause of … is …
- Furthermore, …
- In addition, …
- Finally, …
Giving reasons and examples
CAUSE → EFFECT
- therefore / consequently Many drivers lack proper training; therefore, they don’t know what to do in an emergency.
- so Sometimes drivers use their cell phones, so they are too distracted to avoid dangerous situations.
- as a result Sometimes drivers use their cell phones; as a result, they are too distracted to avoid dangerous situations.
- results in / accounts for Equipment failure also plays a role. For example, a loss of brakes results in accidents.
- causes / leads to / gives rise to / is responsible for Bad weather conditions in winter lead to an increase in the number of accidents on the roads.
EFFECT ← CAUSE
- because / since The most important cause of traffic accidents is excessive speed. Because they are traveling so fast, drivers don’t have time to react.
- due to / because of / owing to Tiredness is a common cause of traffic accidents. Last year, 50 per cent of accidents were due to drivers not taking frequent breaks whilst driving.
- is/are caused by Poor weather conditions, such as icy roads, may also play a role. In the winter, many accidents are caused by icy roads.
Introducing and Proposing Solutions
Verbs
- recommend
- suggest
- propose
Modal verbs
- must
- should
- ought to
- might
- may
- could
Nouns
- recommendation
- suggestion
- solution
- idea
- proposal
Examples
- I recommend that young drivers be required to take an additional motorway driving test before they get their driving licence.
- My recommendation is that the following steps be taken.
- I suggest that the government do this right away.
- I propose that the government identify dangerous roads and fix the problems. Manufacturers should build safer vehicles.
- Laws requiring seat belts must be enforced.