Showing Cause and Effect #1
It is often necessary to show cause and effect (reason and result) by joining sentences:
Beth`s grades were high.
 --->
Beth got a scholarship.

(cause / reason)

(effect / result)

The conjunction (connecting word) most often used to join sentences like these is because:
Beth got a scholarship because her grades were high.
Another conjunction often used to join sentences showing cause and effect is since:
Beth got a scholarship since her grades were high.
Because and since can also be at the beginning of sentences showing cause and effect. In this position, they are separated from the effect sentence by a comma:
Because Beth`s grades were high, she got a scholarship.
Since Beth`s grades were high, she got a scholarship.
Causes can also be shown with prepositions + noun phrases (not sentences). In this situation, because of, due to, and on account of are commonly used:
Beth got a scholarship because of her high grades.
Beth got a scholarship due to her high grades.
Beth got a scholarship on account of her high grades.
Sometimes because of, due to, and on account of are combined with the fact that and then used with sentences, not noun phrases:
Beth got a scholarship because of the fact that her grades were high.
Beth got a scholarship on account of the fact that her grades were high.
Beth got a scholarship due to the fact that her grades were high.
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Special Notes:
1.
Because and since can also be in the middle of sentences. In this position, do not use a comma:
wrong: *I went to bed, because (since) I was exhausted.
wrong: *I went to bed because, (since,) I was exhausted.
right: I went to bed because (since) I was exhausted.
2.
Since also has a very different time meaning:
They`ve been married since 1972.
3.
Do not use because of, due to, and on account of before sentences:
wrong: *I wrote a check because of I didn`t have enough cash.
wrong: *I used a credit card due to I had forgotten to bring cash.
wrong: *I can`t pay for dinner on account of I forgot my wallet and checkbook.
4.
Sometimes The reason that is also used to introduce effects:
The reason that I didn`t come to your party is (that) I was sick.
Note: No comma is used with The reason that.
5.
Do not use because or because of with The reason that:
wrong: *The reason that I didn`t come to your was because I was sick.
wrong: *The reason that I didn`t come to your was because of sickness.

Cause and Effect #2
When a cause (reason) has the expected effect (result), the most commonly used connecting words are because, since, because of, due to, and on account of:
Expected effect:
Beth`s grades were high.
 --->
Beth got a scholarship.

(cause / reason)

(effect / result)

Beth got a scholarship because her grades were high. Beth got a scholarship since her grades were high. Beth got a scholarship because of her high grades. Beth got a scholarship due to her high grades. Beth got a scholarship on account of her high grades. __________________________________________
Unexpected effect:
Sometimes, however, the effect is not what is expected for the cause:
Beth`s grades were high. ---> She didn`t get a scholarship.
In this situation, different connecting words are used. The most common ones used with sentences are although, though, and even though; the most common ones used with noun phrases are in spite of and despite:
Beth didn`t get a scholarship although her grades were high.
Beth didn`t get a scholarship though her grades were high.
Beth didn`t get a scholarship even though her grades were high.
Beth didn`t get a scholarship in spite of her high grades.
Beth didn`t get a scholarship despite her high grades.
__________________________________________
Special Notes:
1.
Although, though, and even though can also be at the beginning of sentences. In this position, use a comma after the cause:
Although / Though / Even though Beth`s grades were high, she didn`t get a scholarship.
2.
Do not use a comma when although, though, even though, despite, or in spite of are between or inside sentences:
wrong: *Beth didn`t get a scholarship, although / though / even though her grades were high.
wrong: *Beth didn`t get a scholarship although, / though, / even though, her grades were high.
wrong: *Beth didn`t get a scholarship, despite / in spite of her high grades.
wrong