Here are some useful phrases for describing causes and effects (for IELTS Writing Task 2 and maybe Speaking Part 3). I'll use the topic of 'global warming' to show how the phrases work.
1. Cause and Effect
Pollution causes global warming.
Pollution leads to global warming.
Pollution results in global warming.
Pollution is the main cause of global warming.
Factories pollute the atmosphere. As a result, global warming is occurring.
2. Effect and Cause
Global warming is caused by pollution.
Global warming is the result of pollution.
Global warming is due to pollution.
Global warming occurs as a result of pollution.
Notice the different uses of 'result' (results in, is the result of, as a result). Students make a lot of mistakes with these phrases.
tnx simon
Posted by: otabek | Saturday, May 05, 2012 at 09:53
you repeated you lessons recently Simon
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, May 06, 2012 at 02:03
Paragraph development(A guide for students of English)
is one the useful reference for writing.
Posted by: Mohammad Reza | Sunday, May 06, 2012 at 07:18
I think it was posted before..
Posted by: sakora | Sunday, May 06, 2012 at 13:06
Hi Tony and Sakora,
Well noticed! You've obviously been following the lessons carefully. Yes, I do repeat some lessons here and there.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, May 07, 2012 at 12:39
hi simon ,since i have joined this website i have become great fan of yours.I took ielts 3 months ago but scored 5.5 in writing .I was shocked because because my previous score was 7.Any thanks to you that i can practise again.
I need to ask that I always try to start my essay with a saying or phrase like A stone will not be known as a daimond untill it gets polished.
Does it sound funny
Do you know any book for idioms or saying
thanks
Posted by: asma | Friday, May 11, 2012 at 12:48
thank you very much indeed, your comments were and are so help full for me
Posted by: Mahsa | Friday, May 11, 2012 at 15:30
Hi Asma,
Don't start your essays with that kind of phrase! Read the lessons below:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2012/02/ielts-advice-what-is-an-idiom.html
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/11/ielts-advice-avoid-proverbs-and-clichés.html
...
No problem Mahsa.
Posted by: Simon | Friday, May 11, 2012 at 15:36
Hi Simon,
Just wondering shouldn't we write
Global warming is a result of pollution. It is because when we say that "Global warming is the result of pollution", aren't we implying that it is the only result of pollution-which might not necessarily be true.
I will be grateful for your reply.
Posted by: AJ | Sunday, February 03, 2013 at 07:25