What Does "as a result of" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It is a complex preposition used to express a causal relationship. It identifies the specific cause or reason that led to a particular effect or consequence.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial (starting a sentence), medial (middle of a clause), or final position.
- Register: It is primarily formal to neutral. It is a staple of academic writing, journalism, legal documents, and professional correspondence.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: As a prepositional phrase, it must be followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (the "cause"). It cannot be followed immediately by a full clause (subject + verb).
- Punctuation rules: When placed at the beginning of a sentence, the entire introductory phrase is usually followed by a comma. When used in the middle or end of a sentence, commas are generally not required unless the phrase is parenthetical.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be moved easily within a sentence to change emphasis. It can also be modified by adverbs (e.g., "largely as a result of").
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it as a standalone transition word (e.g., "As a result of, the project failed") is a major grammatical error. It requires an object to complete the prepositional phrase.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from as a result of on Ludwig.guru.
"This changed as a result of Protestantism." — britannica.com
"As a result of his study, the exemption was denied." — harvard.edu
"Sales increased as a result of the menu changes." — harvard.edu
"The mother became hysterical as a result of the shock." — theguardian.com
"What happened as a result of that?" — nytimes.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| due to |
Often used interchangeably, though traditionally functions as an adjective modifying a noun. |
| owing to |
More formal and strictly functions as an adverbial preposition. |
| because of |
A more common and neutral alternative suitable for all levels of speech. |
| consequent to |
Highly formal or legalistic; implies a direct sequence of events. |
| on account of |
Slightly more old-fashioned or formal; used to explain the reason for something. |
| thanks to |
Used when the result is positive or to express irony regarding a negative result. |
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'as a result': Learners often confuse it with 'as a result', incorrectly using 'as a result of' as a standalone adverbial phrase followed by a comma instead of following it with a noun phrase.
- Redundancy: Using it alongside other causal words, such as "The reason why it happened was as a result of..." (Choose one or the other).
- Misplacement of the comma: Placing a comma immediately after "of" (e.g., "As a result of, the rain...") is incorrect.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| as a result of |
Causal Preposition |
Formal / Neutral |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Can I use as a result of at the beginning of a sentence
Yes, as a result of can frequently be used in the sentence-initial position to introduce the cause of an event. When used this way, the entire prepositional phrase must be followed by a comma before the main clause begins.
What is the difference between as a result of and as a result
While they look similar, as a result is a conjunctive adverb that stands alone and is followed by a comma to introduce a consequence. In contrast, as a result of is a preposition that must be followed by a noun phrase or gerund representing the cause.
Why can I not follow as a result of with a comma immediately
Learners often confuse it with as a result, incorrectly using as a result of as a standalone adverbial phrase followed by a comma instead of following it with a noun phrase. Because it is a preposition, it requires an object to complete its meaning before any punctuation can be applied.