Explain a decision
I can explain why I did something, and accept an objection without giving up my position.
Declared core time. Two of the core blocks carry no figure at all, so the real lesson is longer than this sum.
Grammar
18 minTo explain a decision means to answer three questions: what for (purpose), why (reason) and "yes, but…" (concession: you accept the thing that stood in your way and still insist on your choice). You know some of the words: to + a verb in the meaning "in order to" (A2 #21), because, so, because of (A2 #31). Now comes the full set.
The lesson has one main rule: after some words comes a whole clause — with a subject and a verb; after others only a noun or an -ing form. Almost all mistakes here come from using a word from one column as if it were from the other.
| + a clause | + a noun or -ing | |
|---|---|---|
| purpose | so that | — (with a verb: to, in order to) |
| reason | because, as, since | because of |
| concession | although, though, even though | despite, in spite of |
Purpose — what for.
to + a verb is the most common way: I came in early to finish the report. — my aim was to finish the report.
in order to is the same, only more formal; it is used in letters and announcements: We have changed the timetable in order to reduce delays. The negative is in order not to: I left early in order not to miss the train.
so that + a clause is needed when the purpose has its own subject: I left the key under the mat so that she could get in. — I was the one who left, and she is the one who has to get in. to doesn't work here: it would say that I myself was planning to get in. Inside so that there is usually a modal verb: about the present and the future — can, will or just the present tense, about the past — could, would:
| I'm writing it down so that I don't forget. | the aim: not to forget (now) |
| I wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget. | the aim: not to forget (in the past) |
| Speak louder so that everyone can hear you. | the aim: all the people should hear |
In conversation that is often left out: I left the key so she could get in.
for + a noun also shows purpose, but with a thing, not an action: I went out for some milk. We stopped for lunch. for doesn't go before a verb: ✗ for buy → ✓ to buy.
Don't confuse so that and so … that. In B1 #30 there was so … that — "so much that": a result. Here so that means "in order that": a purpose. The difference is whether there is a word between so and that:
| I left early so that I could catch the train. | I left early; my aim was to catch the train. — purpose |
| I left so early that I caught the earlier train. | I left very early, and as a result I caught an earlier train. — result |
Reason — why.
because + a clause: We took a taxi because it was raining. because of + a noun: We took a taxi because of the rain. The meaning is the same, but what follows is different.
as and since + a clause also give a reason. They are used when both people know the reason or it is obvious, and they usually stand at the beginning: As it was late, we decided to stay. Since you're here, can you help me? This sounds a little more formal than because. You know since from A2 #5 in the meaning "from that time"; the tense of the verb tells them apart: I've lived here since I was ten — time, Since you're busy, I'll ask Tom — reason.
In conversation you can answer Why? with just Because…: — Why are you leaving? — Because I'm tired. In writing a sentence with Because doesn't stand alone: it is joined to the main one.
Concession — "although", "in spite of". A concession accepts a fact that speaks against you — and still leads to your decision. This is exactly how you accept an objection without giving up your position.
although + a clause: Although it was expensive, we bought it. though is the same, only more conversational. It can also stand at the very end, after a comma: It was expensive. We bought it, though. — it was expensive, but we bought it all the same.
even though is stronger: the fact was certainly there, and it was important, but it didn't stop anything: Even though he apologised, she didn't forgive him. — he really did say sorry, and still she didn't forgive him.
despite and in spite of + a noun or -ing: Despite the rain, we went out. In spite of being tired, she finished the report. despite has no of, in spite of has of. To join a whole clause you need despite the fact that: Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.
however means "but" between sentences. It is not a conjunction: it stands between two separate sentences and is followed by a comma: It was raining. However, we went out. The simplest way is but: It was raining, but we went out.
One conjunction for one link. In many languages "although…, but…" is normal. In English although and but don't go together: either Although it was raining, we went out, or It was raining, but we went out.
How to accept an objection. Ready-made phrases for conversation:
| That's true, but I still think… | I accept the fact, but my opinion is the same |
| I see your point, but… | I understand what you mean, but… |
| I know it's expensive. Even so, it's worth it. | it costs a lot; all the same, it's worth the money |
| Although it costs more, it'll save us time. | the price is higher, but we'll need less time |
on time and in time. Both are about not being late, but the meaning is different:
| The train left on time. | exactly at the planned time, not late |
| We got to the station in time to catch the train. | we managed it: there was enough time |
on time is at the planned moment, not later. in time is early enough to do something: in time for dinner, in time to say goodbye. just in time means "only just early enough, at the last moment".
More examples:
| I'm learning Spanish to talk to my wife's family. | my aim: to talk to her relatives |
| We booked early so that we could get a good price. | we booked early; our aim was a good price |
| The match was cancelled because of the snow. | the snow was the reason for cancelling the match |
| As we had no car, we took the bus. | we had no car, so we went by bus |
| Despite all the problems, the project was a success. | there were many problems, but the project went well |
Don't say this. ✗ in order to that she could come → ✓ so that she could come. After in order to comes a verb, not a clause.
Check yourself. What is the difference between I left early so that I could catch the train and I left so early that I caught the train? Rewrite with despite: Although he was ill, he went to work. on time or in time: We got there just ___ to see the start?
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Common learner errors
written for your languagedespite of
✗ despite of the rain
✓ despite the rain
or in spite of the rain. Spanish a pesar de, Portuguese apesar de, French en dépit de end in a word for "of", and in spite of has one too — so of gets added to despite.
despite + a clause
✗ Despite it was late, we kept working
✓ Although it was late…
or Despite the late hour… Spanish a pesar de que and Portuguese apesar de que take a whole clause. In English despite takes only a noun or -ing; a clause needs although or the long despite the fact that.
for before a verb
✗ I came for finish the report
✓ I came to finish the report
French pour finir, Spanish para terminar, Italian per finire put a word for "for" before the verb. In English purpose before a verb is to. This is the same mistake as in A2 #21.
although and but together
✗ Although it was raining, but we went out
✓ Although it was raining, we went out
Chinese suīrán … dànshì and Vietnamese mặc dù … nhưng use a pair, and it sounds natural. In English one link takes one conjunction.
because of + a clause
✗ We were late because of the traffic was bad
✓ because the traffic was bad
or because of the bad traffic. Chinese yīnwèi and Vietnamese vì go before a noun and before a clause alike. In English because of goes only before a noun.
Pronunciation
4 minThe stress of the linking words: although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ and despite /dɪˈspaɪt/ are stressed on the second syllable; however /haʊˈevə/ is too. because in fast speech shrinks to /bɪˈkəz/ or even /kəz/; in writing the conversational 'cos is found only in messages.
though, through, thought — three similar words that are easy to mix up when you hear them:
| though | /ðəʊ/ — a voiced /ð/, the diphthong /əʊ/ |
| through | /θruː/ — "from one side to the other", a voiceless /θ/ |
| thought | /θɔːt/ — the past of think, a voiceless /θ/ |
The pause after a concession carries meaning. The voice rises at the end of the clause, then comes a short pause, and the main part falls:
Although it was raining ↗ ‖ we went out ↘.
However at the start of a sentence is a separate piece with its own pause: However ‖ we went out.
Text
5 minLast month I sold my car, and most of my friends think I've made a mistake. I understand why. Although the car was old, it was reliable, and I loved driving it.
So why did I do it? Mainly because of money. Since I started working from home, I've used the car about once a week, but I've still paid for insurance and parking every month. I sold it in order to save that money, and I bought a good bike so that I could still get around town.
My sister said, "You'll regret it as soon as winter comes." That's true, I'm sure — cycling in the rain isn't fun. Even so, I think it was the right decision. Despite the bad weather last week, I got to work on time every day, and I feel fitter than I have for years.
And when I really need a car, I can hire one. Last Saturday I hired a small van to help my brother move house. We got everything into it just in time to return it before six, and it cost much less than a month of parking.
I didn't sell my car because I hate driving. I sold it because I didn't need it any more. However, I've kept my driving licence in my wallet. You never know.
Exercises
32 min1. Put in
- I went to the chemist's buy some plasters
- I'll leave the door open you can get in
- The flight was cancelled the fog
- We stayed at home it was too cold to go out
- it was late, she kept working
- the noise, I slept well
- The hotel was lovely. , the food was terrible
- The train left — at exactly 8.15
- We got to the cinema just to see the start
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2. Join the two sentences into one
- I'm saving money. I want to buy a car. (to)
- I'll write the address down. I don't want to forget it. (so that)
- We didn't go out. It was raining. (because)
- The match was cancelled. There was snow. (because of)
- It was very expensive. We bought it. (although)
- He was tired. He drove all night. (even though)
- I gave her my number. I wanted her to call me. (so that)
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3. Rewrite
- Although it was raining, we played tennis.
- Although she was ill, she came to work.
- Although we left early, we missed the train.
- Although the traffic was heavy, we arrived on time.
- Although he had little experience, he got the job.
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4. Error correction.
- Despite of the rain, we went out.
- Although it was late, but we kept talking.
- I went to the shop for buy some bread.
- We were late because of the traffic was terrible.
- Despite it was cold, she didn't wear a coat.
- I'm learning English so that get a better job.
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5. Say it in English.
Each line describes a situation in simple words. Say it with the forms of this lesson. 1) You arrived early. Your aim was to get good seats. Explain why you came early. 2) The plan costs a lot of money. All the same, in your opinion it's worth the money. Say both things in one sentence, starting with the cost. 3) There was a delay on the way to the station. All the same, you and your friend caught your train. Say it in one sentence, starting with the delay. 4) Your friend has nothing to do at the moment. Ask him for help, and give that as the reason. Start with the reason. 5) A colleague doesn't agree with your decision. Show that you understand what he means, but say that the decision is right all the same.
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6. Answer the objection
without giving up your position: accept the fact and explain your decision. The answers below are an example. 1) Why did you buy such an expensive phone? 2) Why are you taking the train? Flying is quicker. 3) Why did you leave such a good job?
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Summary
Covered: purpose with to, in order to, so that and for + a noun; so that versus so … that; reason with because, because of, as, since; concession with although, though, even though, despite, in spite of, however; phrases for accepting an objection; on time versus in time. Next — lesson 33: past and present habits.
End of the core
The lesson counts as done once the exercises are done. Everything after this is optional.
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Vocabulary for your deck
16 words- in order to /ɪn ˈɔːdə tə/ for the purpose of doing something (more formal)
- so that /ˈsəʊ ðət/ in order that (+ a clause)
- although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ in spite of the fact that
- even though /ˌiːvn ˈðəʊ/ although (stronger)
- despite /dɪˈspaɪt/ without being stopped by something; in spite of
- in spite of /ɪn ˈspaɪt əv/ despite; without being stopped by something
- however /haʊˈevə/ but (at the start of a new sentence)
- even so /ˌiːvn ˈsəʊ/ all the same; in spite of that
- on time /ɒn ˈtaɪm/ at the right time, not late
- reliable /rɪˈlaɪəbl/ that you can trust; that works well every time
- insurance /ɪnˈʃʊərəns/ money you pay a company so that it pays if something bad happens
- get around /ˌɡet əˈraʊnd/ to travel from place to place
- hire /ˈhaɪə/ to pay to use something for a short time
- van /væn/ a vehicle bigger than a car, for carrying things
- driving licence /ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˌlaɪsns/ an official card that says you are allowed to drive
- plaster /ˈplɑːstə/ a small piece of sticky material that you put over a cut
Writing
Six or seven sentences about a decision you made recently: what for you did it, why, what spoke against it — and why you are right all the same.
Example
Last year I moved to a smaller flat. I did it because of the rent, which had become too high. I also wanted to live closer to work so that I could walk there. My friends said the flat was too small. That's true, but I don't need much space. Although I miss my old balcony, I'm happier now. Despite the smaller kitchen, I cook more than before.
Checklist
Practise this lesson in the other sections
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