As A Result: Meaning and Examples for Writing
The phrase as a result is a linking expression used to show that one thing happened because of something else. It directly connects a cause to its effect. For example: “The company cut its budget. As a result, several projects were cancelled.” This guide explains the exact meaning of as a result, shows you how to use it in formal and informal writing, and gives you natural examples for essays, emails, and everyday conversation.
Quick Answer: What Does “As A Result” Mean?
As a result means “because of that” or “therefore.” You use it to introduce the outcome or consequence of an action or situation that you have just described. It is a formal-to-neutral linking phrase, common in academic writing, professional emails, and spoken English.
How to Use “As A Result” in a Sentence
You can place as a result at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle. When it starts a sentence, follow it with a comma. When it appears in the middle, it is usually set off by commas.
Sentence Position Examples
- Beginning: “The traffic was heavy. As a result, we arrived late.”
- Middle: “The traffic was heavy; we arrived late, as a result.”
- Middle (with comma pair): “The traffic was heavy, and as a result, we arrived late.”
Formal vs. Informal Tone
As a result leans formal. It fits essays, reports, business emails, and presentations. In casual conversation or informal messages, native speakers often use shorter alternatives like so or that’s why. However, as a result is still perfectly acceptable in spoken English when you want to sound clear and deliberate.
| Context | Appropriate? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Academic essay | Yes | “The experiment failed. As a result, the hypothesis was rejected.” |
| Business email | Yes | “We missed the deadline. As a result, the client requested a refund.” |
| Text message to a friend | Less common | “I forgot my keys. As a result, I’m locked out.” (Sounds stiff; better: “So I’m locked out.”) |
| Everyday conversation | Possible but formal | “It rained all day. As a result, the picnic was cancelled.” (Fine, but “so” is more natural.) |
Natural Examples of “As A Result”
Read these examples aloud. They show how the phrase works in real situations.
In Essays and Academic Writing
- “The government increased taxes on sugary drinks. As a result, consumption dropped by 15%.”
- “Many students did not complete the reading. As a result, class discussion was limited.”
- “The company invested heavily in research. As a result, it developed a breakthrough product.”
In Emails and Professional Writing
- “Our server experienced a technical failure. As a result, all online orders were delayed by 24 hours.”
- “The team did not receive the updated instructions. As a result, the report contained several errors.”
- “We have hired additional staff. As a result, customer response times will improve.”
In Everyday Conversation
- “I didn’t set my alarm. As a result, I overslept and missed the bus.”
- “She practiced the piano every day. As a result, she played beautifully at the concert.”
- “The restaurant was understaffed. As a result, our food took over an hour.”
Common Mistakes with “As A Result”
Even advanced learners sometimes misuse this phrase. Here are the most frequent errors.
Mistake 1: Using It Without a Clear Cause
You must state the cause before using as a result. If the reader does not know what caused the result, the sentence is confusing.
Wrong: “As a result, the meeting was cancelled.” (Why? The cause is missing.)
Right: “The CEO was called away. As a result, the meeting was cancelled.”
Mistake 2: Confusing It with “As A Result Of”
As a result is a complete phrase that introduces a result. As a result of is a prepositional phrase that introduces a cause. They are not interchangeable.
- As a result: “The storm damaged the power lines. As a result, the town lost electricity.” (Result = loss of electricity)
- As a result of: “The town lost electricity as a result of the storm.” (Cause = the storm)
Mistake 3: Overusing It in One Paragraph
Using as a result multiple times in a short space sounds repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like therefore, consequently, or thus.
Repetitive: “Sales fell. As a result, profits dropped. As a result, the company cut jobs.”
Better: “Sales fell. As a result, profits dropped. Consequently, the company cut jobs.”
Better Alternatives to “As A Result”
Depending on your tone and context, you can replace as a result with these options.
| Alternative | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Therefore | Formal | “The data was inconclusive. Therefore, we repeated the experiment.” |
| Consequently | Formal | “The factory closed. Consequently, hundreds lost their jobs.” |
| Thus | Very formal | “The evidence was clear. Thus, the jury reached a verdict.” |
| So | Informal / neutral | “I was tired, so I went to bed early.” |
| That’s why | Informal | “She forgot the password. That’s why she couldn’t log in.” |
| Hence | Formal / literary | “The road was blocked. Hence, we took a detour.” |
When to Use “As A Result” (and When Not To)
Use as a result when you want to emphasize the logical connection between a cause and its effect. It works best in:
- Academic essays and research papers
- Business reports and professional emails
- Formal speeches and presentations
- Any writing where clarity and precision matter
Avoid it in very casual writing, such as text messages, social media posts, or informal notes to close friends. In those cases, so or that’s why sounds more natural.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Complete each sentence with the correct phrase: as a result or as a result of.
- The flight was delayed ______ bad weather.
- The flight was delayed. ______, we missed our connection.
- ______ the power outage, the office closed early.
- The power outage caused the office to close early. ______, employees went home.
Answers
- as a result of
- As a result
- As a result of
- As a result
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I start a sentence with “As a result”?
Yes. Starting a sentence with as a result is common and grammatically correct. Always put a comma after it.
2. Is “as a result” the same as “because”?
No. Because introduces the cause, while as a result introduces the effect. Compare: “I stayed home because I was sick.” (cause) vs. “I was sick. As a result, I stayed home.” (effect).
3. Can I use “as a result” in the middle of a sentence?
Yes. You can write: “The project failed, and as a result, the team was restructured.” Use commas around the phrase when it interrupts the sentence.
4. What is the difference between “as a result” and “as a consequence”?
They are very similar. As a consequence is slightly more formal and often implies a negative outcome. As a result is neutral and can be used for positive, negative, or neutral effects.
Final Tip for Learners
To master as a result, practice by writing three sentences today: one about your work or study, one about a news event, and one about a personal experience. Read them aloud. This will help you feel comfortable using the phrase in both writing and speech.
For more help with linking words, explore our Transition Word Examples or visit our FAQ page. If you have questions about this guide, please contact us.
