Causal Relationships Vocabulary

a thing that comes before and may cause another

“Poverty is often an antecedent to crime.”

Origin: Latin antecedere `to go before`, from ante- `before` + cedere `to go`

following as a result or effect

“The flood and consequent destruction displaced thousands.”

Origin: Latin consequi `to follow closely`, from con- `together` + sequi `to follow`

dependent on something else that is uncertain

“The deal is contingent upon regulatory approval.”

Origin: Latin contingere `to touch, befall`, from con- `together` + tangere `to touch`

to found or base something on

“The theory is predicated on the assumption of rational actors.”

Origin: Latin praedicare `to proclaim`, from prae- `before` + dicare `to make known`

able to be regarded as caused by

“The error was attributable to human negligence.”

Origin: Latin attribuere `to assign to`, from ad- `to` + tribuere `to bestow`

making a certain situation or outcome likely

“A quiet environment is conducive to concentration.”

Origin: Latin conducere `to bring together`, from con- `together` + ducere `to lead`

serving as a means of pursuing an aim

“She was instrumental in securing the funding.”

Origin: Latin instrumentum `tool, equipment`, from instruere `to build, equip`

a factor that decisively affects the outcome

“Education is a key determinant of economic success.”

Origin: Latin determinare `to limit, determine`, from de- `completely` + terminare `to bound`

a connection or series of connections linking things

“The nexus between poverty and crime is well documented.”

Origin: Latin nexus `a binding together`, from nectere `to bind`

to have a mutual relationship or connection

“Income levels correlate strongly with life expectancy.”

Origin: Latin cor- `together` + relatus `brought back`, from referre `to bring back`