Contrast clauses
- Use: to link two ideas that are different from each other
- Connectives: although, despite/ in spite of, (even) though, however
- Come before or after the main clause
Form/ Structure Examples
although Although he was late, he stopped to buy a
sandwich.
despite/ in spite of (the fact that) In spite of poor health, she remained
cheerful.
Despite working hard, he failed his exams.
Despite/ In spite of the fact that it has its
scientific basis, it has not yet been proven.
though/ even though Though/ Even though he has lived in London
for years, he can’t speak English.
however I love London. However, the weather is bad.
I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
I love London. The weather is bad, however.
Result clauses
- Use: to talk about the result of an action or situation.
- Connectives: so, so that, so…that, such…that, as a result, therefore
- Comes after the main clause
To express cause and effect
Form/ Structure Examples
so He can’t speak English so I talked to him
through an interpreter.
so that
She studied hard so that she could pass the
exam.
so…that She was so happy that she cried.
so + adjectives/ adverbs + that
such…that They had such a difficult time that they never
went back.
such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that
To state a consequence
Form/ Structure Examples
as a result The company had poor management. As a
result, they faced bankruptcy.
therefore (formal) The company had poor management;
therefore, they faced bankruptcy.
Time clauses
- Use: to say when things happened. They can refer to the past, present, or future.
- Connectives: as, when, while, after, as soon as, before, since, ever since, til/until
- Come before or after the main clause
Situation/ Time Clauses Examples
When two events happen at the same time: As you approach the border, you’ll see the
as checkpoint on the left.
when
while When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
We’ll keep on driving while there’s still
daylight.
When one event happens before or after After I had finished my homework, I went to
another: bed.
after
as soon as The baby can cry as soon as he is born.
before
when Chew your food up thoroughly before you
swallow it.
Let’s cross the bridge when we come to it.
When a situation started in the past and I've worked here since 2008.
continued until a later time:
since Ever since he moved to New York, he has
ever since been very busy.
To specify when a situation ends: He’ll keep the seat for me til I come back.
til
until We played cards to kill time until the bus
came.
