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.

arguably / presumably /most probably ➝ He’s arguably the best candidate for Prime Minister. fortunately / luckily – unfortunately ➝ Unfortunately, we lost the match. if i may say so ➝ If I may say so, Lorna’s new hairstyle is appalling.

Underline the correct alternative. 1 We’ll have to buy another TV in case / unless you can repair it. 2 Provided / So that you study regularly, you will get good marks. 3 We got there in time in spite / on account of the heavy traffic. 4 I’d like to pack today so that / as to be ready to leave early tomorrow morning. 5 His accident was owing / due to excessive alcohol consumption.

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The weather forecast said it’d be sunny. Therefore / Nevertheless, I decided to take along my umbrella. Could you tell me if you can bring it today? If not, / As a consequence, I’ll have to pick it up myself. At the farm there were horses, cows as long / well as donkeys and goats.

First Fill in the gaps with a suitable word.

Yesterday evening two ships collided in thick fog in the English Channel. One was a cargo boat carrying fruit to London, (1) _____ the other was a British Rail ferry on its regular run from Dover to Dunkirk. (2) Even _____ there were no casualties among the crews or the passengers, both ships were holed close to the waterline. According to eye witnesses (3) _____ of the vessels was going very fast at the time of the accident. (4) _____ , the captains did not realise the danger until seconds before the collision on (5) _____ of the weather conditions. As a (6) _____ , there was insufficient time for them to avoid the accident. In (7) _____ of the damage, the two ships managed to reach the nearby port of Dunkirk. A spokesman for the port authorities said (8) _____ a committee of enquiry (9) _____ be set up in (10) _____ to ascertain the cause of the collision.

First Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first using the word in brackets. You must use between 2 and 5 words. 1 We went for a walk despite the heavy rain. (raining) ___________________ heavily we went for a walk. 2 I study English because I want to work in London. (order) I study English ___________________ work in London. 3 I’ll come only if you pick me up from home. (long) I’ll come ___________________ me up from school. 4 I’m hungry now because I didn’t have lunch. (as) ___________________ lunch I’m hungry now. 5 I therefore think we will find a solution. (reason) ___________________ we will find a solution. 6 I think Di Caprio deserved to get the Oscar. (my) In ___________________ deserved to get the Oscar. 7 Nobody can deny Italian cuisine is awesome. (arguably) Italian cuisine ___________________ awesome. 8 We ended up having some pizza delivered. (eventually) We ___________________ delivered.

35 First Listen to 5 people giving tips to anyone dealing with an oral exam. Choose from the list (A-F) what each speaker says. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

A B C D E F

Remember that the examiner wants you to do well, so try not to sound too nervous when you talk. I’d suggest making eye contact with the examiner and show that you are enjoying the conversation. Candidates should avoid giving short answers and waiting for the examiner to ask lots of questions. You must prove that you are able to interact and exchange your opinions with someone else. If you neglect your body language, you may give the impression of being afraid of the examiner. A candidate should never express opinions that are not shared by the examiner.