Although and despite: contrast an obstacle with the outcome
Express an unexpected contrast with although, even though, despite and in spite of. Choose a full clause or a noun/ing phrase and avoid despite of.
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Despite and in spite of with -ing
A missed train or a surprising result: express contrast between an action and what happens using an -ing phrase.
Read and practiseSo and such with that: degree leading to a result
Connect a strong degree to its result using so icy that, such a tight knot that, so many and so much. Choose the structure that matches the following words.
Read and practiseSo that for purpose: explain what an action is meant to achieve
Explain an intended outcome with so that plus a subject and verb. Use can, could, will or would where appropriate, and recognise purpose without a modal.
Read and practiseFuture time clauses: when, until, once and as soon as
Use present forms for future events after time conjunctions. Practise when, until, once and as soon as, and distinguish a time clause from a direct question.
Read and practiseSo that with can and could: purpose and ability
A receipt, a slow explanation or an early departure can make an intended action possible. Express that purpose with a modal clause.
Read and practiseUntil or by: continuing to a time versus meeting a deadline
Distinguish until for a continuing situation from by for a latest completion time. Interpret return deadlines, staffed hours and instructions with not until.
Read and practiseBefore and after with ing: shorter time clauses with clear subjects
Shorten before and after clauses with ing when the same person performs both actions. Keep a full clause when the subjects differ and preserve the event order.
Read and practiseWhat as a fused relative
A clause with what can name the thing or things involved without a separate noun. See how it works as a subject or object.
Read and practiseSo and therefore: results, decisions and conclusions
Explain results with so and therefore. Practise cause-before-result order, sentence punctuation and the difference between a reason and a conclusion.
Read and practiseEmphatic do, does and did: confirm what is true
Add emphasis with do, does and did plus a base verb. Practise correcting an assumption, confirming past actions and making a warm invitation.
Read and practiseMuch, far and slightly: say how big a difference is
Modify comparisons with much, far, a lot, slightly and a bit. Describe large or small differences, understand even more and avoid very before a comparative.
Read and practiseThat or which in defining relative clauses
A defining clause identifies the thing you mean. Both relative words are possible, although preferences differ across varieties of English.
Read and practiseTwo object patterns: give someone something, buy something for someone
Compare person-first and thing-first patterns with give and buy. Practise to for a recipient, for for a beneficiary, and explain something to someone.
Read and practiseDependent prepositions: interested in, good at and depend on
Learn adjective and verb combinations such as interested in, proud of and depend on. Practise prepositions with nouns and ing forms in useful sentences.
Read and practiseIt and there: subjects for weather, opinions and existence
Choose it or there for weather, time, opinions and things that exist. Practise it's important to and there are, without treating every it as an object reference.
Read and practisePast perfect continuous: activity before a past point
Describe an activity leading up to a past moment with had been and -ing. Explain duration, repeated preparation and past evidence while distinguishing state verbs.
Read and practiseFormal conditional inversion
In formal conditions, had, were and should can move before the subject when if is omitted. Explore past, hypothetical and possible situations.
Read and practiseIf it were not for: a decisive condition
A person or circumstance can change an imagined outcome: contrast present situations with alternative past events.
Read and practiseIf only for: a limited reason
A single reason can be enough to justify an action, even when other reasons may exist. Explore purpose, cause and noun phrases.
Read and practiseEven if and even though: condition or fact?
A possible obstacle and a known fact call for different connectors. Compare their meanings and choose the right one in context.
Read and practiseFuture perfect: completed by a future deadline
Look back from a future point with will have and a past participle. Set completion deadlines with by, form negatives and questions, and describe states lasting until then.
Read and practiseAssuming and supposing in conditions
A proposed situation can serve as the starting point for a prediction or question about what follows.
Read and practiseOn condition that: formal agreements
An offer or agreement can depend on a specific requirement. Explore this formal expression and the verb forms that follow it.
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