Cause & Effect

At a glance 7 rules

1. 1The four linksTwo statements can be cause and effect either way round, two effects of one common cause, or two effects of separate, unrelated causes.
2. 2The 'so' testJoin them with 'so': if 'I, so II' reads as a direct, likely link, I is the cause. If only 'II, so I' works, II is the cause.
3. 3Time orderA cause comes before its effect. Go by the time words (last week, this week, on Monday), not by which statement is printed first.
4. 4Responses are effectsA decision, rule, ban or replacement is usually the effect of the event or problem described in the other statement.
5. 5Common causeIf neither can produce the other but one event explains both (a storm, a festival, hot weather), they are effects of a common cause.
6. 6Independent causesTwo events with their own separate reasons, even about the same place or people, are effects of independent causes.
7. 7Direct and likely onlyAccept only a direct, likely link, never a chain of 'maybe's. A detail that names another reason, or rules one out, decides it.