Words / B2

KORZL/ˈkɔːzl/

Causal means relating to a cause, or showing that one thing makes another happen: a causal link; causal relationship. Casual means informal (already in the dictionary) — a classic spelling trap. A causal link still needs a mechanism. Mix-up: casual / because. Do not write causal for “they happened on the same day” (that may be correlation).

Meaning

Relating to a cause, or showing that one thing makes another happen.

Examples

• “A causal link still needs a mechanism, the methods tutor said.”
• “Do not treat a coincidence as causal in the evaluation, which is the correlation trap.”

Good to know

a causal link / relationship / factor. Trap: casual (informal). Methods, science, and essays. Of cause and effect, not “happened together”.

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