Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

Kooper
YOYO member
文章: 2725
註冊時間: 週三 4月 11, 2007 11:40 pm

Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Kooper »

Dear YoYos,

It has been quite a while since the last time we played an English game on the forum. Here I would like to initiate a new one. Here are few simple rules for it.

1. Please list words, phrases, or sentence structures that you know are used to directly or indirectly express a positive or negative causal relationship. To further elucidate it, here I list several scenario that fit the rule.


a) A 導致 B 的發生
B is attributed to A
A leads to B
A sets off B / A sets off a series of events / A sets off a chain reaction

in light of A
on account of A
for the sake of A / for A's sake
Thanks to A
as a consequence (of A)
in consequence (of A)

now (that)

b) A 使 B 的發生成為可能
A paves the way for B

c) A 加速 B 的發生

d) A 演變成 B, A 是 B 的前身, A 是 B 的源頭或起源
A is the cradle of B
A is a breeding ground for B

e) A 避免 B 的發生 (否定用法)
A gets in the way (of B)
to avert B

f) Others

2. At most two expressions in each post and two consecutive posts by the same people are not encouraged. However, you're welcomed to post multiple times as long as they're not in a row.

3. Only list expressions you know or you've learned somewhere before.

4. Provide definitions as well as examples, if possible.
Kooper
YOYO member
文章: 2725
註冊時間: 週三 4月 11, 2007 11:40 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Kooper »

Let me get the ball rolling.

1. pave the way for: to make a later event possible by producing the right conditions
Ex: The discussions are aimed at paving the way for formal negotiations between the two countries.

2. the cradle of something: [formal] the place where something began [= birthplace] 起源地 搖籃
Ex: Athens is often regarded as the cradle of democracy.
Ex: http://122.116.234.216/forum/viewtopic. ... dle#p14145
Sherry Liao
YOYO member
文章: 1483
註冊時間: 週五 12月 07, 2007 12:15 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Sherry Liao »

Should all the expressions be in a metaphorical style, like your examples?
頭像
Gloria Lo
YOYO member
文章: 367
註冊時間: 週一 2月 04, 2008 7:51 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Gloria Lo »

attribute Sth to Sb or Sth

(to believe or say that a situation or event is caused by something)

EX: The fall in the number of deaths from heart disease is generally attributed to the improvments in diet.
Kooper
YOYO member
文章: 2725
註冊時間: 週三 4月 11, 2007 11:40 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Kooper »

Sherry Liao 寫:Should all the expressions be in a metaphorical style, like your examples?
Dear Sherry,

It's not necessary. :ssmile:
頭像
Rock
YOYO member
文章: 2162
註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Rock »

1. get in the way (of something)
to prevent something from happening
>>Anger often gets in the way of understanding a situation.
>>We had almost reached an agreement, but some unimportant details got in the way.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/get+in+the+way

2. Words Get in the Way-- by Gloria :lol:
>> I want to say something, but the words get in the way.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Sherry Liao
YOYO member
文章: 1483
註冊時間: 週五 12月 07, 2007 12:15 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Sherry Liao »

1. in (the) light of something: if you do or decide something in the light of something else, you do it after considering that thing:
Ex.: In light of this tragic event, we have cancelled the 4th of July celebrations.

2. on account of something: because of something else, especially a problem or difficulty:
Ex.: She was told to wear flat shoes, on account of her back problem.

Note: Both of the above expressions are formal usages. If you use them when having a casual talk, it might sound a bit awkward.
頭像
technobabel
YOYO member
文章: 1188
註冊時間: 週六 5月 14, 2005 8:42 pm
來自: Eastern Seaboard

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 technobabel »

One thing leads to another



The deception with tact, just what are you trying to say?
You've got a blank face, which irritates
Communicate, pull out your party piece
You see dimensions in two
State your case with black or white
But when one little cross leads to shots, grit your teeth
You run for cover so discreet, why don't they:

Do what they say, say what you mean
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listen too long
But then one thing leads to another.

The impression that you sell
Passes in and out like a scent
But the long face that you see comes from living close
To your fears
If this is up then I'm up but you're running out of sight
You've seen your name on the walls
And when one little bump leads to shock miss a beat
You run for cover and there's heat, why don't they:

Do what they say, say what they mean
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listen too long
But then one thing leads to another
One thing leads to another

Then it's easy to believe
Somebody's been lying to me
But when the wrong word goes in the right ear
I know you've been lying to me
It's getting rough, off the cuff I've got to say enough's enough

Bigger the harder he falls
But when the wrong antidote is like a bulge on the throat
You runs for cover in the heat why don't they

Do what they say, say what they mean
One thing leads to another
You tell me something wrong, I know I listen too long
But then one thing leads to another
One thing leads to another (Repeat)
I am not abandoning Yoyo, I am just dancing slowly away from it.
頭像
Gloria Lo
YOYO member
文章: 367
註冊時間: 週一 2月 04, 2008 7:51 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Gloria Lo »

Rock 寫: 2. Words Get in the Way-- by Gloria :lol:
>> I want to say something, but the words get in the way.

:oops: :mrgreen: :twisted:

The three faces are for you, Rock.

Gloria
頭像
Gloria Lo
YOYO member
文章: 367
註冊時間: 週一 2月 04, 2008 7:51 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Gloria Lo »

1. as a consequence (of something)/ in consequence (of something): as a result of something

EX:Animals have died as a consequence of coming into contact with this chemical.
EX: She was over the age limit and, in consequence, her application was rejected.
頭像
Rock
YOYO member
文章: 2162
註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Rock »

Sherry Liao 寫:
Note: Both of the above expressions are formal usages. If you use them when having a casual talk, it might sound a bit awkward.
You mean these expressions expressing causal relationships are kind of formal that they shouldn't be used on casual talks, right? :lol:
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
頭像
Rock
YOYO member
文章: 2162
註冊時間: 週三 10月 31, 2007 9:03 am

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Rock »

Thanks to

Thanks to the invention of Viagra, I finally come back. :ccry:
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Kooper
YOYO member
文章: 2725
註冊時間: 週三 4月 11, 2007 11:40 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Kooper »

Rock 寫:Thanks to

Thanks to the invention of Viagra, I finally come back. :ccry:
?? Really cannot tell the causal relationship between Viagra and your coming back. No offense, but are you telling a dirty joke?
Kooper
YOYO member
文章: 2725
註冊時間: 週三 4月 11, 2007 11:40 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Kooper »

technobabel 寫:One thing leads to another

Hi Wayne C.,

It's amazing that you can always feedback with a relevant song.
Sherry Liao
YOYO member
文章: 1483
註冊時間: 週五 12月 07, 2007 12:15 pm

Re: Picking Your Brains: Ways to Express A Causal Relationship

文章 Sherry Liao »

Rock 寫:
Sherry Liao 寫:
Note: Both of the above expressions are formal usages. If you use them when having a casual talk, it might sound a bit awkward.
You mean these expressions expressing causal relationships are kind of formal that they shouldn't be used on casual talks, right? :lol:
I thought it was a pun at first sight, then I realized if I was not too tired, I might need to get my glasses replaced.



It's so much fun having you join the discussion, Rock. That's the spirit!
Welcome back, whatever the reason. :wink:
回覆文章