Conjunctions and Linking Words List
| UNLESS | ||
|---|---|---|
|
CONJUNCTION (CONDITION) | CN01 CN10 CN01 |
| #1 | Used in conditional sentences = 'if ... not' in the sense of ‘except if’: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + UNLESS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
UNLESS
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| She will fail unless she works harder. FUTURE SIMPLE + UNLESS + PRESENT SIMPLE | ||
| IN SPITE OF/DESPITE | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITION (CONTRAST) | CN01 CN08 CN10 CN01 |
| #1 | Used to express a contrast between two things = 'regardless of' or 'even though': IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + (PRONOUN) + NOUN + COMMA + S + V (IC) [R] |
IN SPITE OF
+
NOUN
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| In spite of/Despite the frost, the pitch was playable. WE NEVER USE 'OF' WITH 'DESPITE' | ||
| #2 | Both 'in spite of' and 'despite' can be followed by an -ing form (gerund): S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + GERUND [R] |
IC
+
IN SPITE OF
+
GERUND
|
| He's an ordinary bloke in spite of/despite being famous. 'IN SPITE' IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF' | ||
|
PREPOSITION (CONTRAST) | CN02 CN02 |
| #3 | To introduce a clause with 'in spite of' or 'despite', we have to add 'the fact that': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + IN SPITE OF/DESPITE THE FACT THAT + S + V [R] |
IC
+
IN SPITE OF THE FACT
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| He was good at maths in spite of/despite the fact that he found it boring. 'IN SPITE OF' AND 'DESPITE' MEANS EXACTLY THE SAME | ||
| BECAUSE (OF) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
CONJUNCTION (REASON) | CN01 CN08 CN01 |
| #1 | Used to give a reason for something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
BECAUSE
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| She cried because she had hurt her knee. IT IS NEVER FOLLOWED BY 'OF' | ||
|
|
PREPOSITION (REASON) | CN01 CN01 |
| #2 | As a result of someone or something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE OF + (PRONOUN) NOUN/NOUN PHRASE [R] |
IC
+
BECAUSE OF
+
NOUN
|
| The game was cancelled because of the rain. IT IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF' | ||
| #3 | As a result of someone or something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE OF + GERUND [R] |
IC
+
BECAUSE OF
+
GERUND
|
| He was tired because of working too hard. IT IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF' | ||
| ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH/THOUGH | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST) | CN01 CN06 CN08 CN10 CN01 |
| #1 | Used to introduce a statement that makes your main statement seem surprising: ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH/THOUGH + S + V (DP) + COMMA + S + V (IC) [R] |
ALTHOUGH
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
COMMA
|
| Although/Even though/Though she is young, she is very independent. | ||
| WHETHER ... OR ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN01 CN01 |
| #1 | Used to stress that an alternative (positive or negative) makes no difference: WHETHER + S + V + OR + NOT [R] |
WHETHER
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
OR
+
NOT
|
| We are going to the beach whether it rains or not. SHOWING INDIFFERENCE | ||
| IF | ||
|---|---|---|
|
CONJUNCTION (CONDITION) | CN02 CN08 CN02 |
| #1 | Used to introduce a conditional clause: IF + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + WILL + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IF
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| If you don't hurry, we'll be late. CONDITIONAL CLAUSE + COMMA + MAIN CLAUSE | ||
|
|
CONJUNCTION (REPORTING QUESTIONS) | CN06 |
| #2 | Used after 'ask, know, find out, wonder', etc. to introduce one of two or more possibilities = 'whether': REPORTING VERB + IF/WHETHER + S + V |
RV
+
IF
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| He asked her if she spoke English. REPORTING VERB + IF/WHETHER + CLAUSE | ||
| BUT | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST) | CN02 CN08 CN02 |
| #1 | Used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + BUT + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
IC
+
COMMA
+
BUT
+
IC
|
| I wanted to go , but I was too tired. BUT = COORDINATING CONJUNCTION | ||
| HOWEVER | ||
|---|---|---|
|
CONJUNCTION (MANNER) | CN02 CN08 CN02 |
| #1 | Used as a subordinating conjunction when it means 'in whatever way': HOWEVER + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE [R] |
HOWEVER
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| However you look at it, it's going to cost a lot. HOWEVER = NO MATTER HOW | ||
|
|
ADVERB (CONTRAST) | CN07 CN08 |
| #2 | Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SEMICOLON + HOWEVER + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
IC
+
SEMICOLON
+
HOWEVER
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| I asked Jim; however, I'm not convinced he knows. SEMICOLON + HOWEVER + COMMA | ||
| #3 | Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
IC
+
FULL STOP
+
HOWEVER
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| I asked Jim. However, I'm not convinced he knows. FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA | ||
| AS | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN02 CN02 |
| #1 | Used to describe two things happening at the same time or something happening at a particular time = 'while' or 'when': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
AS
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
DC
|
| I saw Ann as I was getting off the bus. TWO ACTIONS HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY | ||
| UNTIL/TILL | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN02 CN09 CN02 |
| #1 | Up to the event or action mentioned: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + UNTIL/TILL + EVENT/ACTION + DEPENDENT CLAUSE |
IC
+
UNTIL
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| We have to wait here until/till she arrives. UNTIL/TILL + EVENT | ||
| DURING | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITION (TIME) | CN03 CN10 |
| #1 | Within a particular period of time (=in) => during/in the night, during/in May, during/in my career, etc.: DURING + PERIOD OF TIME |
DURING
+
PERIOD OF TIME
|
| People shop for Christmas gifts during/in December. DURING/IN + A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME | ||
| #2 | Activity, event or experience (= not a period of time), during a meeting, during her illness, during a visit, during the whole (of), etc.: DURING + (PRONOUN) + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE |
DURING
+
PRONOUN
+
NOUN
|
| I only saw her once during my stay in Rome.DURING + NOT A PERIOD OF TIME | ||
| WHILE/WHILST | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN03 CN09 |
| #1 | During the time that sth is happening, at the same time as sth else is happening: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHILE/WHILST + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
WHILE
+
PRONOUN
+
VERB
|
| He contracted malaria while/whilst he was travelling. ACTIONS/EVENTS HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME | ||
| #2 | We can use an -ing form directly after 'while': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHILE/WHILST + GERUND (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
WHILE
+
GERUND
|
| I saw a cat while/whilst walking to the shop. REDUCED CLAUSE | ||
| SO ... THAT/SO (THAT) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (RESULT) | CN03 |
| #1 | Used when emphasizing the degree or amount of sth by saying what the result is: SO + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + THAT + CLAUSE |
SO
+
ADVERB
+
THAT
|
| He spoke so quietly that I could hardly hear him. RESULT | ||
|
|
CONJUNCTION (PURPOSE) | CN04 |
| #2 | In order to make something happen or be possible: SO (THAT) + SUBJECT + MODAL VERB + BASE VERB |
SO THAT
+
SUBJECT
+
MODAL VERB
+
BASE VERB
|
| I stepped aside so that she might come in. PURPOSE | ||
| AS WELL AS | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (ADDITION) | CN03 |
| #1 | Used to add extra information in a sentence: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + NOUN + AS WELL AS + NOUN [R] |
NOUN
+
AS WELL AS
+
NOUN
|
| She speaks Spanish as well as English. ADDS AN EXTRA SUBJECT OR OBJECT | ||
| #2 | When we put a verb after 'as well as', we usually use the -ing form: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS WELL AS + GERUND [R] |
CLAUSE
+
AS WELL AS
+
GERUND
|
| He is a talented painter as well as being a musician. DESCRIBES TWO PARALLEL ACTIVITIES | ||
| DUE TO/OWING TO | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITION (REASON) | CN03 CN04 |
| #1 | Because of something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + DUE TO/OWING TO + (PRONOUN) + NOUN PHRASE [R] |
IC
+
DUE TO
+
NOUN PHRASE
|
| The game was cancelled due to/owing to torrential rain. | ||
| #2 | Most people avoid using 'owing to' after the verb 'be': BE + DUE TO + (PRONOUN) + NOUN PHRASE |
BE
+
DUE TO
+
PRONOUN
+
NOUN
|
| The accident was due to her negligence. BE + DUE TO | ||
| AND | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (COORDINATING) | CN03 CN08 |
| #1 | Used to join two parts of a sentence: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AND + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
AND
+
IC
|
| The sun was shining and the breeze was cool. | ||
| #2 | Used to join two phrases: PHRASE + AND + PHRASE |
PHRASE
+
AND
+
PHRASE
|
| Her best friend and her mother's cousin both come from Ireland. | ||
| #3 | Used to join two words: WORD + AND + WORD |
WORD
+
AND
+
WORD
|
| Mark and Wendy went up the hill. | ||
| AS THOUGH/AS IF | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (MANNER) | CN04 |
| #1 | Describes an unreal or improbable situation in the present. It is followed by an unreal tense (past simple or past perfect): S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS THOUGH/AS IF + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) |
IC
+
AS THOUGH
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| He looks as though/as if he knew the answer. AS THOUGH/AS IF + PAST SIMPLE = PRESENT | ||
| WHEN | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN04 |
| #1 | Used to say at what time sth happened or will happen: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHEN + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
WHEN
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
|
| She smiled when she walked into the room. CONNECTS TWO ACTIONS | ||
| BESIDES | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITION | CN04 CN10 |
| #1 | In addition to somebody/something; apart from somebody/something: BESIDES + GERUND + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
BESIDES
+
GERUND
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| Besides being heartbroken, she felt foolish. BESIDES + GERUND | ||
| NEITHER ... NOR ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN05 CN10 |
| #1 | Used to say both options are not true. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: NEITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + NOR + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB |
NEITHER
+
SN
+
NOR
+
SN
+
SV
|
| Neither Steve nor his wife was at home. HIS WIFE = CLOSEST NOUN + SINGULAR VERB | ||
| #2 | Used to say both options are not true. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun:: NEITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + NOR + PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB |
NEITHER
+
SN
+
NOR
+
PN
+
PV
|
| Neither Steve nor his kids were at home. HIS KIDS = CLOSEST NOUN + PLURAL VERB | ||
| EITHER ... OR ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN05 |
| #1 | Used to show a choice of two things. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: EITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + OR + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB |
EITHER
+
SN
+
OR
+
SN
+
SV
|
| Either my father or my brother is coming. MY BROTHER = CLOSEST NOUN + SV | ||
| #2 | Used to show a choice of two things. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: EITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + OR + PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB |
EITHER
+
SN
+
OR
+
PN
+
PV
|
| Either my father or my brothers are coming. MY BROTHERS = CLOSEST NOUN + PV | ||
| BOTH ... AND ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN05 CN10 |
| #1 | Refers to two things or people together = 'not only… but also…'. When joining two singular subjects, the subject becomes plural: BOTH + NOUN + AND + NOUN + PLURAL VERB |
BOTH
+
NOUN
+
AND
+
NOUN
+
PV
|
| Both the mother and the baby are doing well. SN + SN = PV | ||
| NOT ONLY ... (BUT) ALSO ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN05 |
| #1 | Used to say that both of two related statements are true: SUBJECT + NOT ONLY + VERB + BUT ALSO + VERB |
SUBJECT
+
NOT ONLY
+
VERB
+
BUT ALSO
+
VERB
|
| He not only studies hard but also works well. | ||
| #2 | Used to say that both of two related statements are true: SUBJECT + VERB + NOT ONLY + NOUN/ADJECTIVE + BUT ALSO + NOUN/ADJECTIVE |
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
NOT ONLY
+
NOUN
+
BUT ALSO
+
NOUN
|
| He is not only a novelist but also a poet. | ||
| WOULD RATHER/SOONER ... THAN ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE | CN05 |
| #2 | Used to say that you would prefer to do or have something = 'would prefer to': SUBJECT + WOULD RATHER/SOONER + BARE INFINITIVE + THAN + BARE INFINITIVE |
SUBJECT
+
WOULD RATHER
+
BI
+
THAN
+
BI
|
| We would rather/sooner play than work. | ||
| ON ACCOUNT OF | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE (REASON) | CN06 |
| #1 | Because of something: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + ON ACCOUNT OF + (PRONOUN) NOUN/NOUN PHRASE [R] |
IC
+
ON ACCOUNT OF
+
NOUN PHRASE
|
| He retired early on account of ill health. REASON OR CAUSE | ||
| #2 | Because of something: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + ON ACCOUNT OF + GERUND [R] |
IC
+
ON ACCOUNT OF
+
GERUND
|
| She was late on account of missing the bus. REASON | ||
| IN CASE OF/IN THE EVENT OF | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE | CN06 |
| #1 | When something happens, or in preparation for when something happens: IN CASE OF/IN THE EVENT OF + NOUN + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE [R] |
IN CASE OF
+
NOUN
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| In case of/in the event of an emergency, push the button. | ||
| SO AS (NOT) TO/IN ORDER TO | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE (PURPOSE) | CN06 |
| #1 | Used to give the reason for doing something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + SO AS TO/IN ORDER TO + BI (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
SO AS TO
+
DC
|
| They went early so as to/in order to get good seats. | ||
| AS/SINCE | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (RESULT) | CN06 CN07 CN08 |
| #1 | Used when we want to focus more on the result than the reason = 'because': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS/SINCE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
AS
+
DC
|
| We should go home as/since it's getting late. RESULT + AS/SINCE + REASON | ||
| AS/SO LONG AS/PROVIDED THAT | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE (CONDITION) | CN07 |
| #1 | Used to express conditions, possible results, and requirements = 'only if': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS LONG AS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
AS LONG AS
+
DC
|
| He'll go as long as/provided that the weather is good. IC + AS LONG AS/PROVIDED THAT + DC (CONDITION) | ||
| MOREOVER/IN ADDITION | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
ADVERB/PHRASE (ADDITION) | CN07 |
| #1 | Often used to start a new sentence when you want to mention another person or thing after sth else: MOREOVER/IN ADDITION + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
MOREOVER
+
C0MMA
+
IC
|
| In addition/Moreover, the problem of antibiotic resistance is global. | ||
| NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
ADVERB (CONTRAST) | CN07 |
| #1 | Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + SEMICOLON + NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) |
IC
+
SEMICOLON
+
NEVERTHELESS
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| The test was very difficult; nevertheless/nonetheless, she earned a high grade. | ||
| #2 | Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + FULL STOP + NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) |
IC
+
FULL STOP
+
NEVERTHELESS
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| The test was very difficult. Nevertheless/Nonetheless, she earned a high grade. | ||
| NO SOONER ... THAN ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN07 |
| #1 | Used to show that one event happens right after another: NO SOONER + HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE + THAN + PAST SIMPLE |
NO SOONER
+
HAD
+
SUBJECT
+
PP
+
THAN
+
PS
|
| No sooner had we arrived at the station than the train came. INVERSION | ||
| HARDLY ... WHEN/BEFORE ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION | CN07 |
| #1 | Used to show that one event happens right after another: HARDLY + HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE + WHEN/BEFORE + PAST SIMPLE |
HARDLY
+
HAD
+
SUBJECT
+
PP
+
WHEN
+
PS
|
| Hardly had we arrived at the station when/before the train came. INVERSION | ||
| WOULD PREFER TO ... RATHER THAN ... | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE | CN07 |
| #1 | Used to say that you would prefer to do or have sth = 'would rather/sooner': SUBJECT + WOULD PREFER + TO-INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + BARE INFINITIVE |
SUBJECT
+
WOULD PREFER
+
TO-INF
+
RATHER THAN
+
BI
|
| We would prefer to play rather than work. | ||
| ONCE | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN07 |
| #1 | From the moment when = 'as soon as'. We don’t use 'shall' or 'will' in the clause with 'once': ONCE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + WILL + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
ONCE
+
SUBJECT
+
VERB
+
COMMA
+
SUBJECT
+
WILL
|
| Once he passes his exams, he will be qualified. ONCE + PRESENT SIMPLE + COMMA + FUTURE SIMPLE | ||
| INSTEAD OF | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PREPOSITION (OPPOSITION) | CN07 |
| #1 | In place of sb or sth = 'rather than'. Don't confuse 'instead of' with 'instead': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + INSTEAD OF + (PRONOUN) + NOUN [R] |
IC
+
INSTEAD OF
+
NOUN
|
| I'll have coffee instead of tea. INSTEAD + NOUN | ||
| #2 | In place of sb or sth = 'rather than'. Don't confuse 'instead of' with 'instead': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + INSTEAD OF + GERUND [R] |
IC
+
INSTEAD OF
+
GERUND
|
| He went alone instead of waiting for me. INSTEAD + GERUND | ||
| RATHER THAN | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
PHRASE (OPPOSITION) | CN07 |
| #1 | In place of someone or something = 'instead of': NOUN + RATHER THAN + NOUN |
NOUN
+
RATHER THAN
+
NOUN
|
| I chose to learn Spanish rather than German. | ||
| #2 | In place of someone or something = 'instead of': GERUND + RATHER THAN + GERUND |
GERUND
+
RATHER THAN
+
GERUND
|
| She enjoys singing rather than dancing. | ||
| #3 | In place of someone or something = 'instead of': VERB + RATHER THAN + VERB |
VERB
+
RATHER THAN
+
VERB
|
| He decided to walk rather than drive. | ||
| SO | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (COORDINATING) | CN08 CN10 |
| #1 | used to connect two clauses and show a result or a purpose = 'therefore': INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SO + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
IC
+
COMMA
+
SO
+
IC
|
| She was tired, so she went to bed early. | ||
| BEFORE | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN09 |
| #1 | When we use 'before' in clauses in the present tense, the clause can refer to the future: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BEFORE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
IC
+
BEFORE
+
DC
|
| He will finish this report before he goes home. FUTURE SIMPLE + BEFORE + PRESENT SIMPLE | ||
| AFTER | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
CONJUNCTION (TIME) | CN09 |
| #1 | Used to show that one action happens later than another event: AFTER + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R] |
AFTER
+
DC
+
COMMA
+
IC
|
| After Ann finishes work, she will go home. AFTER + PRESENT SIMPLE + COMMA + FUTURE SIMPLE | ||
| SPECIAL NOTES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
|
You should never use "but" and "although" in the same sentence because both words express contrast: | Although she was tired, but she kept working. |  |
|
| Although she was tired, she kept working. | She was tired, but she kept working. |  |
|||
| #2 |
|
We don't use "because" and "so" in the same sentence. 'Because' shows a reason, while 'so' shows a result: | Because I was ill, so I took a day off. | |
|
| Because I was ill, I took a day off. | I was ill, so I took a day off. | |
|||
| #3 |
|
'Scarcely', 'barely' and 'hardly' is followed by 'when' or 'before': | Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station than the train came. | |
|
| Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station when/before the train came. | |
||||
| #4 |
|
We can use 'due to' after 'to be' verb, but not 'owing to': | The accident was owing to bad weather. | |
|
| The accident was due to bad weather. | |
||||
| #5 |
|
'Neither ... nor ...' is already negative on its own, so adding another negative word like 'not' or 'don't' creates a grammatical double negative: | I don't like neither tea nor coffee. | |
|
| I like neither tea nor coffee. | |
||||
| #6 |
|
'Instead of' must be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) or a noun because 'of' is a preposition: | She stayed at home instead of to go out. | |
|
| She stayed at home instead of going out. | |
||||
| #7 |
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In time clauses with words like 'after, before, once, when, while and until', we often use present tense forms to talk about the future: | Once the report will be ready, we will send it. | |
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| Once the report is ready, we will send it. | |
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| #8 |
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In negative sentences, we nearly always use the structure with 'so as not to' or 'in order not to': | He cut across the fields not to be late. | |
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| He cut across the fields so as not to/in order not to be late. | |
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| #9 |
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We use 'during', and not 'in', when we are talking about an activity, event or experience: | I only saw her once in my stay in Rome. | |
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| I only saw her once during my stay in Rome. | |
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| #10 |
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When we put a verb after 'as well as', we usually use the -ing form: | As well as she broke her finger, she hurt her leg. | |
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| As well as breakig her finger, she hurt her leg. | |
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| #11 |
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We prefer 'when' to refer to ages and periods of life: | Adam fell for football while/as he was a small boy. | |
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| Adam fell for football when he was a small boy. | |
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| #12 |
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We use a comma when both sides of 'but' have a subject and a verb and could stand alone as separate sentences: | She wanted to go to the cinema but she was too tired. | |
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| She wanted to go to the cinema, but she was too tired. | |
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| #13 |
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Before to-infinitives, use only the word 'whether', not the word 'if': | They were deliberating if to buy a new car. | |
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| They were deliberating whether to buy a new car. | |
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| #14 |
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‘Both’ is complimented by ‘and’, not by ‘as well as’: | Both the teacher as well as the students were excited. | |
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| Both the teacher and the students were excited. | |
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