(a) The cause is relative to a given phenomenon called the effect. Cause and effect are relative to each other. This means, without cause the effect is impossible and without effect cause is also impossible. Both of them depend on each other. Again, the same cause sometimes may be a cause and sometimes as an effect. The same phenomenon may be a cause in relation to a succeeding thing and may be an effect in relation to a preceding thing.

(b) The cause and effect are always events in time. An event in time means that there is a change in the existing state of things. If there are changes in existing state of things, then the causational question will come to our mind, why does a change happen ? Likewise, we also enquire into the cause of flood, war, political revolution and so on.

(c) Cause is antecedent to the effect. Cause and effect are successively related. When two events happen successively, then the preceding one is called, ‘antecedent’ and the following one as the ‘consequent’ . The cause is always antecedent and the effect in always consequent.

(d) Cause is invariable antecedent to the effect. Every effect has a cause. This cause always precedes the effect means the cause is antecedent, but irregular antecedent to the effect can not be cause. Only invariable antecedent is regarded as the cause of an effect. Invariable antecedent is that which is always followed by the effect. If we regard any antecedent of an effect as its cause, then we commit the fallacy of post hoc ergo Propter hoc. So, only invariable antecedent can be the cause of the effect.