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 PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

• Connect Summary
• Conn Diagnostic
• FANBOYS
• And / In addition
• And so / too
• Too / Either
• Both...and
• But / But still
• But not / Except
• But/ Though
• Rather than
• Because / of
• Because of / By
• Cause & Effect
• Because/ Though
• Cause-Effect Rev
• Because Clauses
• So/Such that
• So that
• After / Before
• When / While
• By the time
• Time-related Clauses
• Indeed / Even
• Connector Review
• Connector Edit
• Connector Paragr
• Parallel Phrasing
• Sentence Editing
• Related pages...

• On this page:
• Because/Though
• Sentence transition words
• Because/Though + NP
• Because/ Though + Clause
• Punctuation
• Common Mistakes
• Grammar Notes
• Practice 1
• Practice 2
• Practice 3

Because / Though

Expected vs. Contrary Reason

 

 

 

Because / Though + Clause

LOGICAL / EXPECTED REASON		ILLOGICAL / UNEXPECTED REASON
Because adds a logical reason for the action in the main clause.  The action in the main clause is an expected effect.		Similarly,though adds a contrary reason for the action in the main clause.  The action in the main clause is unexpected under these circumstances.
ACTION  / SITUATION Justin wore his winter pants	LOGICAL REASON because  it was snowing.	ACTION  / SITUATION Justin wore his winter pants	CONTRARY REASON  though  it was warm outside.
Justin rode his bike to school	as his car was snowed in.   (under snow)	Justin rode his bike to school	even though  the snow was slippery.
He likes to walk in the snow	since it is a special winter experience.	He likes to walk in the snow	although  his nose gets cold.
He put on his parka	*for  he felt cold.	He put on his parka	regardless of the fact  he did not feel cold.
Justin can make a snowman	now that  there is snow on the ground.	Justin made an excellent snowman	despite the fact he had never made one before.
The mayor apologized	inasmuch as  the snow removal was slow.	The mayor apologized	in spite of the fact snow removal was not his reponsibility.
The mayor declared a holiday	for the reason that no one could get to work.	The mayor declared a holiday	yet  some people went to work anyway.

Related cause-effect: Cause-Effect Rev 
contrary (adj.) – opinions, or actions are completely different and opposed to each other 
*for is rarely used in En-US  (US English)
inasmuch as – to the extent that

 

 

Cause – Effect

CAUSE/  LOGICAL EFFECT		CAUSE / ILLOGICAL EFFECT
When because is placed at the beginning of the sentence, we can understand the same structure as a cause & effect relationship.		Similarly, if placing the prepositional phrase with though at the beginning of the sentence, we can understand the same structure as a cause & illogical effect relationship.
CAUSE Because  it was snowing,	LOGICAL EFFECT he wore his winter pants	CAUSE Though  it was snowing,	ILLOGICAL EFFECT he wore his shorts
Since it will be snowing harder soon,	we need to leave now	Although it will be snowing harder soon,	we need to stay and get our work done.

 

 

 

Transition Words

AN EXPECTED OUTCOME		AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
Expressions such as for this reason and as a consequence transition the reader from a sentence with a given situation to a second sentence with an expected outcome and logical reasoning.  A comma is used after the transition word.		Similarly, expressions such as nevertheless and nonetheless transition the reader from a sentence with a given situation to a second sentence with an unexpected outcome and illogical reasoning.  A comma is used after the transition word.
It was raining.	For this reason, we moved our picnic indoors.	It was raining.	Nevertheless, we went on a picnic.
It was sunny.	Consequently, we had to wear sunscreen.	It was cloudy.	Even so, we got sunburned.
It was bright.	As a result, we had to wear sun glasses to drive.	The sky was overcast.	Nonetheless, we wore sun glasses while driving.
The weather was delightful.	As a consequence, we went hiking.	The weather was miserable.	In spite of that, we went hiking.

See Expected Effect:  Cause & Effect; Unexpected effect: Nevertheless

 

 

 

Because of / In spite of

Noun Phrase or Gerund Clause

 

 

Because of  / In spite of + NP (noun phrase)

BECAUSE OF + NP		IN SPITE OF + NP
Because of, due to, on account of, and owing to are followed by noun phrases an expected reason.		In spite of, despite and regardless of are followed by noun phrases with an unexpected reason.
Schools were closed	because of the snow.	Schools remained open	in spite of the snow.
The pipes froze	due to the cold temperature	The pipes did not freeze	in spite of the cold temperature.
People stayed indoors	on account of the bad weather	People were out and about	despite the bad weather.
Mail service way delayed	owing to the bad weather	The mail will be delivered	regardless of the bad weather.

See Because of / In spite of ,
 

 

 

Because of  / In spite of + Gerund Clause

BECAUSE OF + NP		IN SPITE OF + NP
Because of, due to, on account of, and owing to may also be followed by a gerund clause with a meaning of expected reason.  (Currently, called a nonfinite gerund-participle clause.)		In spite of, despite and regardless of may also be followed by a clause with a meaning of unexpected reason.
Schools were closed	because of having no heat in the rooms.	Schools remained open	in spite of having no heat in the rooms..
The pipes froze	due to not being insulated well.	The pipes did not freeze	in spite of not being insulated well..
People stayed home	on account of their wanting to keep warm.	People were out and about	despite their wanting to keep warm.
Mail service was delayed	owing to being unable to drive in the snow.	The mail was delivered	regardless of being unable to drive in the snow.
Airplanes were grounded	due to the runways being covered with snow	Airplanes took off	despite the runways being covered with snow

insulated (adj) – to cover or protect something with a material that stops electricity, sound, heat etc from getting in or out

*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
See Because of / In spite of | Changing clauses to noun phrases 

 

 

Because / Though

Other Points

 

 

Punctuation

INITIAL-POSITION CLAUSE	FINAL-POSITION CLAUSE
A comma is placed after the clause when it is placed in front of the main clause.	No comma is required.
Because we were cold,  we went inside.	We went inside because we were cold.
Though we wanted to stay,  he made us leave.	He made us leave though we wanted to stay.
On account of the frost, we put the car in the garage.	We put the car in the garage on account of the frost.

Also see: Using Commas

 

 

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
*The skier wanted to compete though he broke his ankle.    Unclear - How did he compete with a broken ankle?   "Though" means he did.  "But" means he didn't.	The skier wanted to compete, but he broke his ankle. (He wasn't able to compete.) Though the skier broke his ankle, he was able to compete. (He was able to compete – a miracle!)
*Since its March, its raining here.    The meaning for "since" is unclear.	#1 It has been raining here since March.   since – duration; from then until now #2 Since it is March (spring), it's raining here.  since – reason; rain is expected in March
Compare the difference in meaning with these negative sentences: She didn't buy it, because her sister already had one. ("comma splice") She didn't buy it because her sister already had one.	Restated Her sister having one was the reason for not buying it. She didn't buy it. For the reason that her sister already had one. Her sister having one was not the reason for not buying it.
Because he felt tired. Incomplete sentence or thought	Because he felt tired was not a reason for skipping class. (add a predicate.) The reason he missed class was because he was tired. (Add a subject and verb.) Because he felt tired, he went to bed. (Add a main clause for the reason clause.) Complete the thought.

*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.

 

 

Grammar Notes

Traditional Grammar vs. Linguistic Description

 

 

 

TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR		LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION
In traditional grammar, because, as, since, inasmuch as are called subordinating conjunctions.  The conjunction introduces a dependent clause giving a reason for the situation in the main (independent) clause. Because, a subordinating conjunction, joins one clause with a particular situation to another clause with an expected, predictable or logical outcome. Though, a subordinating conjunction, joins one clause with a particular situation to another clause with an an outcome that is contrary to expectation (i.e., illogical, irrational).		Presently, because, as, since, inasmuch as have been re-assigned to the category of preposition. a category which takes a wide variety of complements (NP, N, AdjP, AdvP, PP, Predicative Complement, Clause, etc.)  See Prep Complements The prepositions, because, as, since, inasmuch as take finite clauses expressing reason as their complements. They may also take PPs (prepositional phrases) as with because of, due to, on account of, owing to, in view of with NP or nonfinite clauses of reason as their complements. CaGEL" Prepositions and Preposition Phrases" 598-617; Cause and result 725-733 ; Reason 731; Adjuncts of Concession (though) 734
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	ADVERBIAL CLAUSE	(MATRIX) CLAUSE	PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
Justin wore his winter pants	because it was snowing. (conjunction + clause) because of the snow. (prep + object noun)	Justin wore his winter pants	because it was snowing.  (PP + finite clause) because of the snow.  (PP + PP + NP) because of  it being so cold.  (PP + PP + nonfinite clause)
REED-KELLOGG DIAGRAM		TREE DIAGRAM        Click the diagram to enlarge it.

CATEGORIES:  NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective
FUNCTIONS: Subject:  Subject,   Predicate: Predicator (V) Complements: (elements required by verb) Object, Indirect Object, Predicative Complement  Adjuncts: (optional modifiers) Adj, Adv

 

Resources / Works Cited

 

 

Practice 1

New Car

 

 

1. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
2. Compare your response to the answer to the right by clicking the "check" button.

 

#	COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH CONNECTOR	CHECK ANSWER
1.	Justin bought a new car — because although he wanted a better one.
2.	Justin bought a new car — because although he already have another good one.
3.	Justin sold his old car — because although he doesn't need it anymore.
4.	Justin bought a car that has only two seats — because in spite of the fact there are four people in his family.
5.	Justin bought a car that has only two seats — since even though he wants to be able to use the carpool lanes.
6.	Justin likes to drive it with the top down — because though he sun-burns easily.
7.	The car came with an pod adapter — since even though Justin didn't order it.
8.	The cigarette lighter is useful   — since although you can plug accessories into it.
9.	Consumer's Report rated this car very high — because even though it is so reliable.
10	— Since Even though the car has had a few problems, Consumer's Report rated it very high.

 

 

 

Practice 2

Election

 

Correct or Incorrect?

• Decide whether the sentence is correct or incorrect.
• Select the option and read the feedback

 

#	READ THE SENTENCE	OPTIONS
11.	Because the candidate's good ideas, I will vote for him.	Correct     Incorrect Feedback 11
12.	The candidate won despite he had little experience.	Correct     Incorrect Feedback 12
13.	In spite of the fact the candidate is a woman, she will win.	Correct     Incorrect Feedback 13
14.	The candidate lost the election even though winning the popular vote.	Correct     Incorrect Feedback 14
15.	Due to the candidate was not well organized, he ran out of money.	Correct     Incorrect Feedback 15

 

 

 

Practice 3

Congressional Representation

 

 

1. Edit the text to include punctuation, if needed.
2. Compare your response to the answer to the right by clicking the "check" button.

 

#	EDIT THE SENTENCE	CHECK ANSWER
16.	Even though there are 60 million Hispanics in the U.S. not many are in Congress.  EDIT THIS: Even though there are 60 million Hispanics in the U.S. not many are in Congress.
17.	Because their issues need to be considered young Hispanics want more representation. EDIT THIS: Because their issues need to be considered young Hispanics want more representation.
18.	Because English is the “language of the land” many people feel that all U.S. citizens should be able to speak it. EDIT THIS: Because English is the “language of the land” many people feel that all U.S. citizens should be able to speak it.
19.	Some people have fewer opportunities to learn English since everyone in the family speaks their native language. EDIT THIS: Some people have fewer opportunities to learn English since everyone in the family speaks their native language.
20.	Despite changes the system isn’t perfect yet. EDIT THIS: Despite changes the system isn’t perfect yet.