In this lesson, you will learn how to discuss cause and effect regarding environmental issues in Italian. At the B2 level, precision is key when connecting human actions to ecological consequences.
Key Cause-and-Effect Connectors
Di conseguenza: Consequently. Used to introduce the logical result of a previous action.
Pertanto / Dunque: Therefore. Formal alternatives often used in written or advanced spoken Italian.
Key Verbs
Provocare: To cause. La deforestazione provoca danni irreparabili. (Deforestation causes irreparable damage.)
Influire su: To influence / have an impact on. Note that it requires the preposition su. L'inquinamento influisce sulla salute. (Pollution impacts health.)
Danneggiare: To harm or damage. I rifiuti di plastica danneggiano la fauna marina. (Plastic waste harms marine fauna.)
Common Mistakes
Avoid translating English phrasal verbs literally. Remember that influire takes the preposition su (often merging with articles like sulla or sullo), not without a preposition. Before personal pronouns, however, su di is normal: influisce su di noi.
Connector
Usage
Example
Di conseguenza
Result
Il traffico è aumentato; di conseguenza, l'aria è irrespirabile.
Provocare
Direct Cause
Le emissioni provocano il riscaldamento globale.
Words
di conseguenza
consequently
Non ha riciclato, di conseguenza è stato multato.He didn't recycle, consequently he was fined.