Linking words (2) 24

Grammar
n in spite of and despite

These words:
are used to explain an unexpected event
I got the part in spite of having no experience.
We enjoyed the trip despite the bad weather
go at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence
In spite of / Despite having little money, we were very happy. (notice the comma)
We were very happy in spite of / despite having little money.
If they go at the beginning, there is usually a comma in the middle of the sentence.
are followed by -ing or a noun:
He continued to work in spite oft despite being ill.
He continued to work in spite of / despite his illness.
are often followed by the fact that + subject + verb:
I got the part in spite of the fact that! had no experience.
Despite the fact that! had no experience. I got the part.
In spite of is more common in speaking than despite.

EI but, although and though

These words contrast two events or ideas. Though is more common than although in speaking.
But usually goes in the middle of the sentence
I like making films but I'm really a stage actor.
Although and though can go in the middle or at the beginning of the sentence-.
I like making films though/although I'm really a stage actor
Although/Though I'm really a stage actor,! like making films (notice the comma)
A We can't use though/although and but in the same sentence:
(not
We sometimes use though at the end of a sentence:
I like making films. I'm really a stage actor, though.

n even though and even if

Even though makes a stronger contrast than although/though. It emphasises the speaker's surprise
that two facts are both true
She was given the part even though she had no experience. (= it's surprising she got the part in these
draunstances)
We use even gwhen we are not certain about our facts
I'll support my team even if they don't win the Cup. (=I don't know whether they'll win the Cup, but
YU support them anyway)

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 24 Linking words (2)

4 Participle clauses

The -ing form or the past participle:

can be used to combine two sentences when both sentences have the same subject.
replaces a subject + verb:
I work far from home. + I sometimes feel lonely. —0 Working far from home, I sometimes feel lonely.
AU was asked about the play. + AU said it was great. —0 Asked about the play, Ali said it was great.
These structures are more common in writing than in speaking.
The -ing form:
replaces an active verb:
He refused to apologise. + He left the room. —0 Refusing to apologise, he left the room.
links two things happening at about the same time (present or past):
The girl used all her strength. + The girl pushed open the heavy doors. —0 Using all her strength, the girl
pushed open the heavy doors.
can begin the first or second half of the sentence:
She writes a blog. + She uses her experiences at work. —0 She writes a blog using her experiences at work.
The past participle:
replaces a passive verb:
The boys were refused entry to the club. + The boys walked slowly home. —0 Refused entry to the club,
the boys walked slowly home.
links two connected events or situations:
'Greensleeves' was written in the 16th century. + treensleeves' is still a famous song.
—s Written in the sixteenth century, treensleeves. is still a famous song.

flbefore and after + -ing

Before and after + -ing.
show the order in which things happen.
are used to combine two sentences only when both sentences have the same subject
can replace the subject + verb of either sentence:
Ihad a long talk with my parents. (= first event) + I accepted the part. (= second event)
—+ I had a long talk with my parents before accepting the part.
or —0 I accepted the part after having a long talk with my parents.
Before and after + -ing can go at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. If they go at the beginning there
is usually a comma before the main clause
Before accepting the part, I had a long talk with my parents.
After having a long talk with my parents, accepted the part.

6 when, while and since + -ing

We can use when, while and since + -ing in a similar way to before and after + -ing.
When + -ing links two actions happening at the same time
When leaving the train, passengers should ensure that they have all their possessions with them.
You must try to make a good impression when starting a new job.
While + -ing links a longer action to an action which happens in the middle of it:
I was offered two more films while making 'Starshine:
While making 'Starshine; I was offered two more films.
Since + -ing links an ongoing situation or action to the event or action when it began:
She hasn't been in touch once since moving to New York.
Since leaving school, she's completely changed.

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 Linking words (2) 24
Grammar exercises
n Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences.

I. I know Shanghai quite well, A you should read it carefully.

2 In spite of injuring his foot, B he retired to an island in the Mediterranean.

3 He doesn't earn very much, C he scored three goals.

4 Although he always takes his laptop, D in spite of being so talented.

5 Smiling broadly, E this book is still very useful.

6 When changing the torch battery, F our uncle welcomed us into his house.

7 Before signing that document, G but I've never been to Beijing.

8 After selling his business, H Dad rarely emails us when he's away.

9 Despite the fact that it is very old, I be careful not to damage the bulb.

n Do these pain of sentences have exactly the same meaning? Write S (same) or D (different).

1 a Although Sharon quite enjoys musicals, she really prefers more serious drama.
b Sharon quite enjoys musicals, but she really prefers more serious drama.
2 a Asking for directions, Sam showed the farmer the map he'd been given.

b Asked for directions. Sam showed the farmer the map he'd been given.

3 a Brian continued to work long hours, in spite of being ill.

b Even though he was ill, Brian continued to work long hours.

4 a Chloe's father promised her a car, even though she didn't pass her final exam.

b Chloe's father promised her a car, even if she didn't pass her final exam.

5 a Despite searching everywhere, I didn't find the money.

b I searched everywhere, but I didn't find the money.

6 a Warning of storms ahead, the mountain guide led us back to the hostel.

b Warned of storms ahead, the mountain guide led us back to the hostel.

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nCombine each pair of sentences, using the -ing form or the past participle.
1 Arnold was faced with a difficult decision. Arnold decided to consult his boss.
Faced mkh a. dufficuLt derision. Angola. clecteleci to consult hte boss.
2 The singer waved to her fans. The singer got into her car.

3 Simon grumbled about the amount of homework he had. Simon took out his grammar book.

4 The school buildings were designed by a famous architect. The school buildings won several prizes.

5 Wendy was a sensible girl. Wendy didn't panic when she cut her hand.

6 Paul heard cries for help. Paul dived into the linter.

7 This song was recorded only last week. This song has already been downloaded a million times.

4 Complete the sentences with these words and phrases.

before even if even though in-spite-of since though while

1 I quite enjoy playing tennis, ill spite of the fact that I usually lose.
2 painting my room, I made quite a mess of the carpet.
3 It's essential to train regularly attempting town a marathon.
4 I hardly ever receive any emails I write lots.
5 They insist they'll have a barbecue it rains.
6 Jane enjoys cooking. She's not much good at making cakes,
7 arriving in this country, I've made lots of new friends.

O 0 Choose the correct version of these sentences by Cambridge First candidates.

1 a I thought the restaurant was expensive in spite the fact that the manager had told me it was cheap.
b I thought the restaurant was expensive in spite of the fact that the manager had told me it was cheap.
2 a Although I enjoyed the book, but I found the ending very disappointing.
b Although I enjoyed the book, I found the ending very disappointing.
3 a You can think before to choose which one you will buy.
b You can think before choosing which one you will buy.
4 a He allowed me to go into the concert despite the fact that I was an hour late.
b He allowed me to go into the concert despite of the fact that I was an hour late.
5 a After receiving the visa, I will come and visit you in Canada.
b After received the visa, I will come and visit you in Canada.

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