Result Clauses
Result clauses express the consequence or outcome of a situation. They answer the question 'What happened as a result?' and are closely linked to cause and effect language.
Ways to express result
1. So + result clause (most common)
It was raining, so we stayed inside.
She was tired, so she went to bed early.
The shop was closed, so we went home.
2. Therefore / Consequently / As a result / Thus (formal)
These sentence connectors link two separate sentences or clauses. Use a semicolon or full stop before them.
The data was incomplete. Therefore, the report was delayed.
Demand increased significantly; consequently, prices rose.
The experiment failed. As a result, the team had to start again.
3. So … that / Such … that (intensified result)
These structures express a result caused by a high degree of something.
It was so cold that the pipes froze.
She spoke so quickly that nobody could follow.
It was such a long film that we fell asleep.
There was such noise that we couldn't concentrate.
4. Result verbs: lead to, result in, cause, bring about
The heavy rain led to widespread flooding.
The new policy resulted in higher costs.
Poor communication can cause serious misunderstandings.
The changes brought about significant improvements.
Cause vs. result — direction of the relationship
| Expression | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because of / due to | Cause (before result) | Because of the rain, roads flooded. |
| therefore / so / as a result | Result (after cause) | It rained heavily; therefore, roads flooded. |
| lead to / result in | Cause → Result | Heavy rain led to flooding. |
Tip: In formal writing, prefer 'consequently', 'therefore', or 'as a result' over 'so'. Save 'so' for informal or spoken English.