Linking words
This lesson discusses several words and phrases that are used to connect ideas and demonstrate reasons for situations or actions in English.
ALTHOUGH
...is used to connect ideas or facts that may seem contradictory or explain things that are unexpected, in much the same way as BUT can be used:
Although I felt sick, I went to work.
(Normally, we expect that if someone is sick, he will not go to work)
You can use THOUGH in the same way:
Though we were the stronger team, we didn't win.
(We expect the stronger team to win)
EVEN THOUGH is a stronger form of ALTHOUGH:
Even though I was very angry, I didn't lose my temper.
(This gives the idea that the speaker was very angry, and it was a huge effort not to lose his temper)
IN SPITE OF and DESPITE have a similar meaning to ALTHOUGH:
In spite of the bad weather, we enjoyed our holiday very much.
(We expect that the bad weather would prevent people from enjoying their holiday, but this wasn't the case)
Despite being sick, I went to work.
(I didn't feel well but I went to work anyway)
NOTE that grammatically, ALTHOUGH and IN SPITE OF / DESPITE are used differently:
ALTHOUGH is used with a SUBJECT + VERB:
Although he is a good player, he had a bad game yesterday.
IN SPITE OF and DESPITE are used with a noun, a pronoun, or –ING:
In spite of the conditions, the hikers remained on the mountain.
Despite this, I am still satisfied.
In spite of being tired, I continued to run.
IN CASE
...is used to express that something is done because something else may happen in the future, and we want to be prepared for that possibility:
In case you have any questions, I will be in my office after lunch.
(Because it is possible that you will have questions, I will be in my office to answer them for you)
Compare IN CASE and IF:
We will buy more beer in case extra people come to the party.
(We will buy the beer before the party to be prepared for extra people in advance)
We will buy more beer if extra people come to the party.
(Perhaps extra people will come – if they do, we will buy the beer at that time, but not before)
UNLESS
...is used to mean "except if", for example:
You can't come to the party unless you wear a costume.
(You can come to the party only if you wear a costume, or You can't come to the party except if you wear a costume)
AS LONG AS
...is somewhat similar to UNLESS, but not exactly the same. AS LONG AS means "on the condition that":
As long as you try hard, I will be happy with you.
(On the condition that you try hard, I will be happy, or I will be happy, but you must try hard)
SO LONG AS, PROVIDED (THAT), and PROVIDING (THAT)
...are used in exactly the same way as AS LONG AS:
So long as you take this medication, your condition will remain stable.
Provided you agree, we will begin at once.
Provided that you agree, we will begin at once.
Providing she meets our requirements, we will hire her.
Providing that she meets our requirements, we will hire her.
NOTE – DO NOT USE WILL after UNLESS, AS LONG AS, PROVIDED, etc. to talk about the future:
Incorrect – Unless you will come tomorrow, the deal is off.
Correct – Unless you come tomorrow, the deal is off.
AS
...can be used to mean "because":
As everyone is tired, let's go home and start again in the morning.
(Because everyone is tired...)
AS can also be used to explain that two things happen or happened at the same time:
As Pavarotti came on stage, the lights went down.
(Pavarotti came on stage, the lights went down simultaneously)
Finally, compare AS and WHEN:
As I returned home, it started to rain.
(I was just arriving home, it started to rain at the same time)
When I arrived home, it started to rain.
(I arrived home, then, shortly after, it started to rain)