What Does "as a result" Mean?
- Grammatical function: This expression serves as a conjunctive adverb or transition. It expresses a logical relationship of consequence or effect, linking a previously stated cause to its subsequent outcome.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial, medial, or final position of a sentence or clause.
- Register: It is generally neutral to formal. While common in speech, it is a staple of academic, journalistic, and professional writing.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: As a transition, it usually modifies a whole clause. When starting a sentence, it is followed by a comma and an independent clause. When used within a sentence, it often follows a semicolon or is set off by commas.
- Punctuation rules: In the initial position, always follow it with a comma. In the medial position, place commas before and after the phrase (e.g., "The prices, as a result, increased"). If connecting two independent clauses, use a semicolon before the phrase.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence to link back to the previous one, or it can be moved to the end for emphasis. It cannot be negated directly (e.g., one does not say "not as a result").
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it to start a sentence without a following comma sounds abrupt. Additionally, placing it between a verb and its direct object can disrupt the flow of the sentence.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from as a result on Ludwig.guru.
"As a result, divisions widen." — nytimes.com
"As a result, some microfinance outfits collapsed." — economist.com
"Production fell as a result." — nytimes.com
"Interest rates, as a result, are high." — independent.co.uk
"What happened as a result?" — nytimes.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| as a result |
More formal; introduces a consequence in written and academic contexts. |
| consequently |
Very formal; emphasizes a direct cause-and-effect chain in logical arguments. |
| therefore |
Stronger logical implication; typical of academic and argumentative writing. |
| thus |
Highly formal and concise; often used to show how something happens as a logical conclusion. |
| so |
Informal and conversational; used in everyday speech to link cause and effect. |
| accordingly |
Formal; suggests that an action was taken in response to or in agreement with the preceding facts. |
Common Mistakes
- Missing Punctuation: Forgetting the comma after "As a result" when it starts a sentence is a frequent oversight that affects readability.
- Comma Splices: Using only a comma to join two independent clauses with "as a result" (e.g., "It rained, as a result, the game was canceled") is grammatically incorrect; a semicolon or period is required.
- Confusion with 'as a result of': Learners often confuse it with 'as a result of', incorrectly using it as a preposition followed by a noun instead of a standalone transition. Remember that "as a result" modifies a clause, while "as a result of" requires a noun phrase.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| as a result |
Consequence/Effect |
Neutral to Formal |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Where can as a result be placed in a sentence?
The expression as a result is highly flexible and can appear in the sentence-initial, mid-clause, or final position. When used at the start, it is followed by a comma, whereas in the middle of a sentence, it is typically set off by commas on both sides.
How does as a result differ from therefore?
While both express consequence, therefore carries a stronger tone of logical necessity and is more common in mathematical or strictly argumentative contexts. In contrast, as a result is slightly more descriptive and is frequently used in journalism and general narrative writing to describe outcomes.
Can I use as a result followed by a noun?
No, you should not use as a result as a preposition; learners often confuse it with as a result of, which is the correct form to use before a noun or noun phrase. Use as a result strictly as a standalone transition to introduce a complete clause or to end a sentence.