CONTRAST AND PURPOSE CLAUSES CONTRAST

1. WHEREAS vs WHILE

Whereas means the same as while in sentences expressing contrasts. It does not mean the same
as while when while refers to time:

Barcelona has a hot, humid climate, whereas/while Oxford has a milder, wetter climate.
(CONTRAST)
Ferran took care of my appointments while I was away from the office. (TIME)
Not: … whereas I was away from the office.

2. ALTHOUGH / THOUGH / EVEN THOUGH

Although/Though/Even though are followed by a S and a V (a clause):

Although/Though/Even though everyone played well, we lost the game.

Spoken English: Everyone played well. We lost the game, though.

As though = As if
It sounds as if / as though you had a good time.

3. DESPITE / IN SPITE OF

+ NOUN – He got the job despite / in spite of his prison record

+ -ING – They arrived late in spite of / despite leaving in plenty of time (same subject in both clauses –
they arrived late and they left in plenty of time)

+ THE FACT THAT + S + V – When they got to the beach it was hot despite / in spite of the
fact that it was only the end of April

+ SB / STH + -ING – Boris Johnson has decided to push for no deal despite / in spite of a
majority of MPs voting against it
PURPOSE

1. SO AS TO + INF IN ORDER TO + INF TO + INF

I always keep fruit in the fridge so as to keep flies off it

He did not switch on the light so as not to disturb her
In order for the campaign to be a success, we should take Ferran’s advice on board

SPOKEN ENGLISH - We simplify these structures to an infinitive with to:

I always keep fruit in the fridge to keep flies off it

2. IN ORDER THAT SO THAT SO

We use so that and in order that to talk about purpose. We often use them with modal verbs (can,
would, will, etc.). So that is far more common than in order that, and in order that is more formal:

I’ll go by car so that I can take more luggage

We left a message with his neighbour so that he would know we’d called

In order that you can sign the form, please print it out and mail it to this address (VERY FORMAL)

• We often leave out that after so in informal situations:

I’ve made some sandwiches so (that) we can have a snack on the way

When referring to the future, we can use the present simple or will/’ll after so that. We usually use
the present simple after in order that to talk about the future:
I’ll post the CD today so that you get it by the weekend. (or … so that you will get it …)
We will send you a reminder in order that you arrive on time for your appointment. (or … so that
you arrive on time … or … so that you’ll arrive on time …)

3. FOR + V IN –ING (the purpose of an object)

This pattern commonly answers the question What are they (used) for?

• Schools are for educating children, not for entertaining them.

• This kitchen knife is especially useful for slicing vegetables.
• What's this for? ~ It's for opening oysters. It's much better than a knife.
Note that when the subject of the sentence is a person rather than the thing described, the to + infinitive pattern is also
possible: I use this small knife to slice vegetables with.