UNIT
31
Linking words (2)
• Linking words can also be used to talk about the reason for something, the purpose, or to express conditions for something to happen. • The expressions with an asterisk are used in formal English. Reason and cause • Expressions followed by a noun: because of / owing to / due to / on account of / for / as a result of / as a consequence of We couldn’t find the way back home on account of the fog. My bad mood was due to the horrible weather. • Expressions followed by a clause: since / as / because / for* / due to the fact (that) Since it was my first time in Paris, the first thing I visited was the Eiffel Tower. • At the beginning of a sentence (+ comma): as a result / as a consequence / for this reason / therefore* / thus* / that’s / this is why (+ clause) There was a flood in November. As a result, the houses in that area were all heavily damaged. Purpose • Expressions followed by a verb in the infinitive: in order to / so as to / to He built a wall around the house in order to protect himself from wild animals. • Expressions followed by a clause with a subject: in order that / so that / so I’ll give you a pencil so that you can draw the face of the man that mugged you. Condition • Expressing conditions in general: if / unless (=if not) / if so / if not / if necessary / if possible I may be late. If so, could you order pizza for me? I won’t go to work if I don’t feel better on Monday. I won’t go to work unless I feel better on Monday. • Underlining the specific condition: provided / providing (that)* / on condition (that)* / as long as You can borrow my bike as long as you bring it back by tomorrow. • Taking precaution for events, often referring to the future: in case I’ll pack a few sandwiches in case we decide to have lunch in the park. Other useful linking words • stating initial situation: at first / in the beginning At first I felt ill at ease, but after a while I started enjoying the party. • final outcome: eventually / in the end I wanted to see a horror film but we eventually chose a drama. • objective point of view: according to According to scientists, depression could be an allergy. • personal view: in my opinion In my opinion this book is awful, but according to this review it’s great. • introducing new topics (informal): by the way Bye the way, did you remember to back up the file? • contradicting previous statement: actually / in fact / as a matter of fact / indeed I’m not mad about football: in fact, I hate it! • expressing attitude: to be honest / frankly ➝ I like Tom a lot, but to be honest, I don’t feel like having a holiday with him. to my surprise ➝ I expected him to be late, but, to my surprise, he was even early this time. apparently ➝ Apparently, the man managed to get away with the jewels. (= it seems that...) naturally / of course / undoubtedly / admittedly ➝ Admittedly, he’s better than me.
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