5 Cause and effect
Because of … and Owing to … indicate why something has taken place or is being proposed Due to … is also used in this context, but, strictly speaking, should only be used as a compliment to the verb be. Compare:
e.g. The flight was cancelled because of the fog.
The cancellation of the flight was due to the fog.
When a reason or reasons have been given, the argument can continue with For this reason, For these reasons, As a result, In consequence, Consequently.
That is why is more conversational, Therefore and Thus are more formal.
For one reason or another is used when the speaker does not know the reason.
B. Establishing Facts
This usually appears in contrast to appearance, what seems to be true or is believed to be true. Here are two ways of contrasting appearance and fact:
e.g. At first sight (on the face of it), the village seems unspoiled, but in fact it has been completely altered. The village is apparently unspoiled, but actually it has been completely altered.
More emphatic forms of In fact are The fact is that … and The fact of the mater is that …
As a matter of fact means ‘In fact, although it may surprise you …’.
e.g. It’s not the first time I’ve visited this island. As a matter of fact, I was born here.
In practice is used in contrast to In theory or In principle to show the reality compared to the idea or the original intention. In effect is close to In fact in meaning and usage. It suggests ‘for practical purposes’. An alternative is To all intents and purposes.
C. Expressing a Personal Opinion
When you want to make it clear that what you are saying is a personal, as distinct from a general opinion, use one of the following:
In my opinion, In my view, To my mind, As I see it (more conversational).
Personally and For my part tend to contrast the individual opinion with that of the majority.
As far as I am concerned means ‘in so far as the matter affects me’. It is less likely to appear in written argument than in speech:
e.g. I don’t care whether we go to one seaside resort or another.
As far as I’m concerned, it won’t make any difference.
D. Modifying what is said
There are many ways in which we modify statements by limiting their meaning or pointing to specific circumstances where what is said is correct.
1 General statements
These express what is true in general terms, though not in all circumstances:
In general, As a rule, As a general rule, On the whole, In the main, For the most part.
2 Partly correct
These limit the truth of the statement in general terms:
To some extent, To a certain extent, Up to a point.
In a way and In a sense limit the truth in terms of interpretation:
e.g. In a sense one could say that the local people are responsible for what has happened because they welcomed the tourists, but on the whole they are not really to blame.
3 Limit of knowledge
The fact that the speaker’s knowledge is limited can be expressed by:
As far as I know, To the best of my knowledge.
For all I know suggests ignorance of the topic.
4 Assigning responsibility
According to … By all accounts indicate that responsibility for a statement lies with someone else.
At least is used to avoid personal responsibility:
e.g. I know he intended to come on holiday with us. At least, that is what he told me.
5 Limited validity
Under the circumstances, As it is, Things being as they are suggest that what is suggested is only valid in the present situation but not in ideal circumstances.
E. Intensifying what is said
1 Obviously
One way of intensifying what is said is to suggest that it is obvious to everyone by using of these:
Clearly, obviously, of course, Needless to say, As everyone knows.
2 Especially
Another way is to draw attention to a particular aspect:
In particular, especially.
Note that especially will appear within the sentence as an adverb and not as a connector at the beginning.
e.g. They had very bad weather on holiday, especially during the first week.
3 More noticeably
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