Adverbs of Cause and Reason – JSS3 English Lesson Note (First Term)

An adverb of reason (also called an adverb of cause) is a word that shows the reason for or the purpose of an action.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state what an adverb of reason (adverb of cause) is;
2. name common adverbs of reason such as hence, thus and therefore;
3. identify the adverb of reason in a sentence;
4. punctuate sentences that contain an adverb of reason;
5. write their own sentences that contain an adverb of reason.

What are adverbs of reason and adverbs of cause?

Adverbs of reason and adverbs of cause are the same thing: words that express the reason for or the purpose of an action.

• Same thing: “adverb of reason” and “adverb of cause” are two names for one kind of word.
• Main job: they link a result to the reason behind it.
• Question they answer: they help answer “Why did this happen?”
• Position: they join ideas, so they often come between two related statements.

Examples

• Krishna was hence neglected by the teachers.
• She thus opened the door, applying little visible force.
• He, therefore, does not want to talk to me.
• The teacher is ill and therefore is unable to come to school.

What are the common adverbs of reason?

There are five common adverbs of reason: hence, therefore, thus, consequently and accordingly.

Where do adverbs of reason appear in a sentence?

An adverb of reason can appear in the middle of a clause, after a joining word, or at the start of a sentence.

After the subject

• The adverb comes between commas after the subject.
• Example: He, therefore, does not want to talk to me.

After “and”, before the verb

• The adverb sits just before the main verb.
• Example: The teacher is ill and therefore is unable to come to school.

Before a past participle

• The adverb comes inside the verb group.
• Example: Krishna was hence neglected by the teachers.

At the start of a new statement

• The adverb follows a full stop or semicolon.
• Example: Our bus broke down. Consequently, we missed the programme.

How do you identify an adverb of reason in a sentence?

To identify an adverb of reason, find the word that links a result to its reason.

1. Read the whole sentence and find the action (the verb).
2. Ask: “Why did this happen?”
3. Look for a word that links the result to the reason.
4. Check whether it is a word such as hence, therefore, thus or consequently.
5. Underline that word as the adverb of reason.

Worked example

• Sentence: Tunde was absent; therefore, he missed the quiz.
• Action: missed the quiz.
• Reason: Tunde was absent.
• Adverb of reason: therefore.

How do you punctuate sentences with adverbs of reason?

Adverbs of reason are usually set off with commas, and a semicolon or full stop comes before them when they join two statements.

• In the middle of a clause: put commas on both sides, as in “She, therefore, stayed at home.”
• Joining two statements: put a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it.
• At the start of a sentence: put a comma after the adverb, as in “Hence, the school closed early.”

What mistakes do students make with adverbs of reason?

• Using two reason words together: do not write “Because he was late, therefore he was punished.” Use only one.
• Joining two sentences with a comma only: use a semicolon or a full stop before the adverb.
• Forgetting the commas: write “He, therefore, left”, not “He therefore, left”.

Evaluation

1. What is another name for adverbs of reason?
2. What do adverbs of reason express?
3. Pick out the adverb of reason in this sentence: The teacher is ill and therefore is unable to come to school.
4. Pick out the adverb of reason in this sentence: He, therefore, does not want to talk to me.
5. Write one sentence of your own using the adverb therefore.

Assignment

Write out five sentences, each using a different adverb of reason from this note, and underline the adverb of reason in each.