cause-and-effect

[kawz-uhnd-i-fekt, -uhn-]

adjective

1. noting a relationship between actions or events such that one or more are the result of the other or others.

Example Sentences

Many will argue with their conclusions, but their impeccable research and clear-cut cause-and-effect scenarios might at least spur actionable change.

From Los Angeles Times

Communicating this cause-and-effect requires empathetic reporting and journalism that centers the human dimension instead of foregrounding abstract policies and numbers.

From Salon

“It struck me that the footage had no linear, cause-and-effect pattern,” Jia explained in a director’s statement.

From Los Angeles Times

“By assuming the cause-and-effect relationship,” he says, “you seem to give grounding to a new medical diagnosis that may not actually be a proven cause-and-effect.”

From Los Angeles Times

Although it’s difficult to pinpoint a direct cause-and-effect relationship between climate change and bird flu, research going back many years before the current crisis linked our heating world and natural disasters with changing migratory patterns, nesting seasons, and habitat ranges of wild birds.

From Salon

Related Words

• chemical reaction 
• vicious circle 

When To Use

What does cause-and-effect mean?

Cause-and-effect describes a relationship between actions or events in which at least one action or event is a direct result of the others.Let’s say that you slam your toe into a desk and then yell in pain. Slamming your toe (the first action) hurts, so you yell (the second action). The first action is the cause of the second action, that is, the effect. A cause is a source or producer of effects. An effect is the result or consequence of a cause. The two actions have a cause-and-effect relationship.A cause-and-effect relationship can have multiple causes and one effect, as when you stay up all night and skip breakfast (the causes), you will likely find yourself cranky (the effect).A cause-and-effect relationship can also have one cause but many effects, as when staying up all night (the cause) makes you both cranky and tired (the effects).And, of course, a cause-and-effect relationship can have multiple causes and multiple effects, as when skipping classes and not studying (the causes) result in you not understanding the material and failing the class (the effects).