Connecting ideas
CLAUSES OF CAUSE AND EFFECT
BECAUSE
Because she wanted to visit her friends, she went to Miami.
She went to Miami because she wanted to visit her friends.
Because she was sick, she didn’t come to attend the speech.
She didn’t come to attend the speech because she was sick.
They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.
I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam.
He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive
An adverb clause may precede or follow an independent clause.
A comma is used if the adverb clause comes first.
NOT ONLY … BUT BECAUSE
She failed, not because she had not studied, but because she had a migraine and couldn’t concentrate.
He bought it, not because he needed it, but because his wife asked him to.
AS
As they graduated, they were looking for jobs.
As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep.
As = because
SINCE
Since she never heard about cloning, she decided to not speak about it.
Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.
They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30.
Since = because
Now that:
Now that he has a lot of money, he can afford a new computer.
Now that = because now. It is used for present and future situations.
THEREFORE
He passed his exams because he worked very hard.
Therefore is called a transition (or conjunctive adverb)
He worked very hard. Therefore, he passed his exams.
He worked very hard. He passed his exams, therefore.
A semicolon may be used instead of a period:
He worked very hard; therefore, he passed his exams.
CONSEQUENTLY
Consequently is also a transition and has the same meaning
as therefore:
He worked very hard. Consequently, he passed his exams.
A transition is used with the second sentence of a pair. It
shows the relationship of the second idea to the first idea.
A transition is movable within the second sentence.
AS A RESULT
He passed the test and as a result he got the job.
As a result of his good marks he got a very good job.
The car ran him over and as a result he died.
CLAUSES OF PURPOSE
TO+INFINITIVE
He did it to impress her.
He studied to pass the test and make his parents proud.
They bought the tickets to give them to Sue
IN ORDER TO+INFINITIVE
SO AS TO+INFINITIVE
In order to = to. It is used to express purpose. It answers the question “Why”?
Examples:
He went to Miami because he wanted to visit his friends.
He went to Miami (in order) to visit his friends.
Don’t use for with a verb to express purpose. Sometimes we use for to express purpose but with a noun.
He went to Miami for business.
SO THAT + CLAUSE
IN ORDER THAT+ CLAUSE
So … that encloses an adjective or adverb:
So that = in order to
So that = in order that.
So that + can:
So that is often used rather in order to when the idea of ability is being expressed.
Examples:
He is going to make a registration in order to be able to take courses.
He is going to make a registration so (that) he can take courses.
So that + could:
Could is used after so that in past sentences.
Examples:
He repaired his car in order to enable his friend to use it.
He repaired his car so (that) his friend could use it.
May and might may also be used after that, but are not as common as can and could.
So that + will:
The use of will after so that gives the idea that someone does something in order to make sure that something else is the result.
Examples:
She fills her car up in order to make sure that she will not run out of gas during her trip across The Nevada desert.
She fills her car up so (that) she will not run out of gas during her trip across The Nevada desert.
So that would:
Would is used in past tense.
Examples:
Last week, he left his car early in the garage in order to make sure that it would be ready by eleven.
Last week, he left his car in the garage so (that) it would be ready by eleven.
Extension 2. Time relationships with adverb clauses.
The first page focuses on adverb clauses which are often called "time clauses" in English grammar books and follow specific patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of different time expressions.
Punctuation
When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town.
Adverb Clauses with Time
When:
The adverb clause contains a present tense while the
independent clause contains a future time.
• He was talking on the phone when I arrived.
• When she called, he had already eaten lunch.
• I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.
• We'll go to lunch when you come to visit.
• When he came, she was turning on the radio.
• When he came, she had already turned on the radio.
• When he came, she turned on the radio.
• When he was out, she turned on the radio.
• When he comes tomorrow, she will turn on the radio.
'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in relationship to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when' takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the 'when' clause.
Before
• We will finish before he arrives.
• She (had) left before I telephoned.
• Before she came, she (had) turned on the radio.
• Before she comes, she will turn on the radio.
'Before' means 'before that moment'. It is important to remember that 'before' takes either the simple past OR the present.
After
• We will finish after he comes.
• She ate after I (had) left.
• After she (had) came, she turned on the radio.
• After she comes, she will turn on the radio.
'After' means 'after that moment'. It is important to remember that 'after' takes the present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events.
While, as
• She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.
• As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.
• While she was listening to the radio, he knocked at the door.
• As she was listening to the radio, he knocked at the door.
As, while = during this time.
'While' and 'as' mean 'during that time'. 'While' and 'as' are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of 'during that time' which indicates an action in progess.
By the time
• By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.
• We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.
• By the time he came, she had already heard the news.
• By the time he comes, she will hear the news.
• By the time = one event is completed before another event.
'By the time' expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time.
Until, till
• We waited until he finished his homework.
• I'll wait till you finish.
• She stayed at home until he came.
• Until = till = to that time and then no longer.
'Until' and 'till' express 'up to that time'. We use either the simple present or simple past with 'until' and 'till'. 'Till' is usually only used in spoken English.
Since
• I have played tennis since I was a young boy.
• They have worked here since 1987.
• She hasn’t listened to the radio since he came.
• Since = from that time to the present.
'Since' means 'from that time'. We use the present perfect (continuous) with 'since'. 'Since' can also be used with a specific point in time.
As soon as
• He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).
• As soon as I hear from Tom, I will give you a telephone call.
• As soon as he knocks at the door, she will turn off the radio.
• Once he knocks at the door, she will turn off the radio.
• As soon as = once = when one event happens, another
• Event happens soon afterwards.
'As soon as' means 'when something happens - immediately afterwards'. 'As soon as' is very similar to 'when' it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other. We usually use the simple present for future events, although present perfect can also be used.
Whenever, every time
• Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at "Dick's".
• We take a hike every time he visits.
• She listens to the radio whenever he comes.
• Whenever = every time when
'Whenever' and 'every time' mean 'each time something happens'. We use the simple present (or the simple past in the past) because 'whenever' and 'every time' express habitual action.
The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time
• The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city.
• I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco.
• The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun.
The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time means 'that specific time'. We can use these forms to be more specific about which time of a number of times something happened.
OPINION ESSAY
BULLFIGHTING, YES OR NO?
Are you a masochistic person? Do you enjoy watching human suffering? And animal suffering?
They say that bullfighting is the expression of an art or even an art in itself, but where can you see art in animal suffering? Nowhere.
In this essay I’m going to give my point of view about this controversial topic, which is currently on everybody’s minds.
Bullfighting has been part of the tradition of the people of Spain for quite some time now, and every single Spaniard has a position regarding it.
I agree that some traditions are part of the history of a country and shape up their identity as well, but we, humans, have the ability to evolve and change things which are not right and that’s part of the beauty of being a person, that we can rectify our mistakes and learn from them. For instance, lapidating is a traditional common practice in Muslim countries, but having said so, we, Westerners, see it as inhumane and consider it should be condemned and finally banned, as this type of punishment doesn’t respect human rights nor human dignity.
In a way it is the same with the bull, whether they are purposely bred or not for the show. These mammals are slowly tortured in the arena and suffer a horrifying death in public by the hands of not only the matadors, but the “banderilleros” and the picadors. I’m against any type of cruelty, and I can assure you that the bull is not enjoying itself.
Imagine yourself in the skin of a bull, out of your home, alone, put in a secluded space with hundreds of spectators cheering and shouting, and the blaring of the trumpets.
Then different professional people come to you and in the name of art, they stick different sharp weapons in your back to excite you, to drive you mad, and finally the bullfighter tries to kill you in front of a clamouring multitude as part of an irrational ritual considered by many as art, would you not kill for your life?
Spain is a rich country in traditions and culture. We claim to be an advanced civilised European country, but the eyes of other fellow Europeans are set on us, as they do not understand this slaughter. So if you tolerate this artistic killing, if you support this way of thinking, if you excuse yourself by saying that bullfighting is part of your heritage, then your hands are stained with blood and you are as guilty of killing animals as the matador himself. Think about it!
