JOINING SENTENCES – CONJUNCTIONS I. Although, though, even though, in spite of, despite After although we use subject+verb: Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday. I didn´t get the job although I had the necessary qualifications. Sometimes we use though instead of although with the same meaning: I didn´t get the job though I had the necessary qualifications. A stronger form of although is even though: Even though I was really tired, I couldn´t sleep. After in spite of or despite we use a noun, a pronoun or –ing: In spite of the rain, we enjoyed our holiday. Despite the rain we enjoyed our holiday. We can say in spite of the fact (that), despite the fact (that): I didn´t get the job in spite of the fact (that)/despite the tact (that) I had the necessary qualifications. II. In case We use in case for a smaller possibility. In case is not the same as if. We use in case to say why somebody does (or doesn´t do) something. You do something now in case something happens later: Your car should have a spare wheel in case you have a puncture. Compare: We´ll buy some more food in case Tom comes. (We will buy some more food now, whether he comes or not) We´ll buy some more food if Tom comes. (Perhaps Tom will come, if he comes, we´ll buy some more food. If he doesn´t come, we won´t buy any more food). Use a present tense for the future after in case. You can use in case + past to say why somebody did something: I left my phone switched on in case Jane called (because it was possible that Jane would call). In case of is not the same as in case (especially on notices): In case of fire, please leave the building. III. Unless, as long as, provided/providing We use unless in the meaning of except if: You can´t go in the club unless you are a member. Instead of unless it is possible to say if...not: Unless we leave now, we will be late – or – If we don´t leave now.... As long as/so long as/ provided (that), providing (that) mean if, or on condition that: You can borrow my car as long as/so long as you promise to drive safely. Travelling by car is convenient provided (that)/providing (that) you have somewhere to park. We don´t use future after all the above conjunctions. IV. so that We use so that for purpose especially when the purpose is negative or with can and could: I hurried so that I wouldn´t be late. Leave early so that you won´t miss the train. She is learning English so that she can study in Canada. We moved to London so that we could see our friends more often. V. Because, as, since, because of As and since mean the same as because: As/because/since I was hungry, I decided to find somewhere to eat. Because of expresses the reason of something: We didn´t go out because of the rain. EXERCISES: A Complete the sentences with although, in spite of, because, because of: 1. ............... it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday. 2. ...........................all our careful plans, a lot of things were wrong. 3. .......................we´d planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong. 4. I went home early......................... I was feeling unwell. 5. I went to work the next day........................ I was still feeling unwell. 6. She only accepted the job.............................the salary, which was very high. 7. She accepted the job..................................the salary, which was rather low. 8. I managed to get to sleep....................................there was a lot of noise. 9. I couldn´t get to sleep................................. the noise. B Put in in case or if: 1. I´ll draw a map for you......................... you have difficulty finding it. 2. You should tell the police .................... you have any information about the crime. 3. I hope you´ll come to London sometime. ............... you come, you can stay with us. 4. Write your name and address on your suitcase .......................... you lose it. 5. Go to the lost property office ........................ you lose your bag. 6. The alarm will ring .............................. somebody tries to break into the house. 7. You should lock your bike .......................... somebody tries to steal it. C Choose the correct expression for each sentence: 1. I´m playing tennis tomorrow unless/providing it rains. 2. I´m playing tennis tomorrow unless/providing it doesn´t rain. 3. I don´t mind if you come home late unless/as long as you come in quietly. 4. Unless/provided they are with an adult, children are not allowed to use the swimming pool. 5. Children are allowed to use the swimming pool unless/provided they are with an adult. D Use your own ideas to complete the following sentences: 1. He passed the exam although.......................................... 2. He passed the exam because/as....................................... 3. I didn´t eat anything although........................................... 4. Since I didn´t eat anything................................................ 5. In spite of the fact that I was very hungry......................... 6. I didn´t eat anything in spite of.......................................... 7. I hurried so that .............................................. 8. I left Dave my phone number so that......................... 9. Please arrive early so that............................... 10. We´ll be late unless............................................ 11. I like hot weather as long as................................. 12. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to school provided....................... 13. I don´t mind walking home as long as........................................... 14. You can borrow the money providing.......................................... 15. You won´t achieve anything unless...........................................