BECAUSE OF, SO, AS, HOWEVER

Linkers
General use: 1) Because of When we use because of, we introduce the reason in a noun or a noun phrase form. Study the examples: We had to stay at home at the weekend because of the rain. The buses had to be cancelled this morning because of the rain that flooded all the streets in Goztepe. Many people do not want another university education because of the expenses they have to pay.

2) So When we use so, we introduce the result. Study the examples. It rained a lot, so we couldnt play football. We were lost in Venice, so we bought a street map. I had too many students last term, so it took a long time to know them individually. Some newspapers got some financial support with the help of the government. So, they couldnt criticise what the government was doing. 3) As When we use as, we introduce the reason or the cause. Study the examples. We had to stop at a petrol station for a while, as it was really foggy. I think Ill have to buy a new dishwasher, as the one I have now is broken. You mustnt get up that late, as you need to be on time for the class. 4) However When we use however, we introduce a contrastive idea. Hussein studied really hard for the exams. However, he failed. Hussein wanted to go to another university. However, his family didnt approve this. Big cities like Istanbul are really hard to live in. Many people, however, want to live in Istanbul for so many reasons.

EXERCISES
A. Fill in the gaps with the correct linker. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Keira cant go out this evening, ________ she has to finish her term paper. I love housework, _________ I often do it. Ali studied very hard, ________ he passed his exams. Mehmet studied really hard. ________, he couldnt pass his exams. The bus we travelled on was quite old. ________, we had a wonderful trip to Afyon. We had to wait just outside Izmir on the way to Afyon ________ the snow that blocked the road. 7. I think Ill have a busy weekend ________ my exams next week. 8. Im afraid I cant lend you any money, ________ I have to pay my bills. 9. __________ the strong wind, many cars had to wait at the ferry station in Bostanli. 10. There was a strong wind. ________, the ferries worked fine. 11. Ive decided to buy a new car, _______ I have to start saving money. 12. About 60 % of the students failed the exam, ________ they underestimated it.

B. Rewrite the given sentences. Use so, as, because of, and however. There may be more than one answer for each. 1. We were late for the meeting. We couldnt attend it. 2. The road was icy. Some cars skidded and went off the road. 3. Ive run out of money. I cant get my car serviced this month. 4. The road was dangerously icy. Some drivers didnt have any problems. They were really careful. 5. I have too many books at home. Ive decided to donate some of them to the library. 6. My neighbours dog was chasing me all the time. He let the dog out of his garden. I had to make a written complaint to the local authorities. 7. There was a power cut in Bornova last night. The heavy storm caused this. 8. I really like using new technology in teaching. I sometimes prefer traditional technology: pen and paper! 9. I sometimes hate new technology. It is not 100 % reliable. 10. Most of the students were late this morning. The heavy rain was the reason. 11. We must drink plenty of water. It is really healthy. 12. I have to finish writing this exercise. It is getting late. We do not normally make sentences like these. They are here for teaching purposes only. :P 2

Suggested answer key:

A. 1. as 2. so 3. so 4. However 5. However 6. because of 7. because of 8. as 9. Because of 10. However 11. so 12. as

B. 1. We were late for the meeting, so we couldnt attend it. We couldnt attend the meeting as we were late for it. 2. The road was icy, so some cars skidded and went off the road. Some cars skidded and went off the road, as the road was icy. 3. Ive run out of money, so I cant get my car serviced this month. I cant get my car serviced this month, as Ive run out of money. 4. The road was dangerously icy. However, some drivers didnt have any problems, as they were really careful. 5. I have too many books at home, so Ive decided to donate some of them to the library. Ive decided to donate some of my books to the library, as I have too many of them at home. 6. My neighbours dog was chasing me all the time, as he let the dog out of his garden. So, I had to make a written complaint to the local authorities. 7. There was a power cut in Bornova last night because of the heavy storm. 8. I really like using new technology in teaching. However, I sometimes prefer traditional technology: pen and paper! 9. I sometimes hate new technology, as it is not 100 % reliable. New technology is not 100 % reliable, so I sometimes hate it. 10. Most of the students were late this morning because of the heavy rain. 11. We must drink plenty of water, as it is really healthy. Drinking water is really healthy, so we must drink plenty of it. 12. I have to finish writing this exercise, as it is getting late. It is getting late, so I have to finish writing this exercise.