解释一个决定
能解释自己为什么这样做，也能承认对方的反对意见，同时不放弃自己的观点。
标注的核心时长。核心模块中有两项未标注时长，因此实际课时比总和更长。
语法
18 分钟解释一个决定，就是回答三个问题：为了什么（目的）、为什么（原因）和“是的，可是……”（让步：承认有不利的因素，但还是坚持自己的决定）。有些词你已经认识：表示“为了”的 to + 动词（A2 第21课）， because、so、because of（A2 第31课）。现在学全套。
本课最重要的规则只有一条：有些词后面跟完整的句子——有主语和谓语，另一些词后面只能跟名词或者 -ing 形式。 这里的错误几乎都是把一栏里的词当成另一栏里的词来用。汉语的“因为”“尽管”后面句子和名词都能跟，所以这条界线要特别留意。
| + 句子 | + 名词或者 -ing | |
|---|---|---|
| 目的 | so that | ——（跟动词：to、in order to） |
| 原因 | because, as, since | because of |
| 让步 | although, though, even though | despite, in spite of |
目的——为了什么。
to + 动词是最常用的说法：I came in early to finish the report.——“我早点儿来，是为了把报告写完”。
in order to 意思一样，只是更正式；信件和通知里这样写：We have changed the timetable in order to reduce delays. 否定形式是 in order not to：I left early in order not to miss the train.
so that + 句子用在目的有自己的主语的时候：I left the key under the mat so that she could get in.——走的是我，要进门的是她。这里不能用 to：用 to 就成了我自己要进门。so that 里面通常用情态动词：说现在和将来用 can、will 或者直接用现在时，说过去用 could、would：
| I'm writing it down so that I don't forget. | 我把它记下来，免得忘了。 |
| I wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget. | 我把它记了下来，免得忘了。 |
| Speak louder so that everyone can hear you. | 大声点儿，让大家都听得见。 |
口语里常常省掉 that：I left the key so she could get in.
for + 名词也表示目的，但说的是东西，不是动作：I went out for some milk. We stopped for lunch. 动词前面不用 for：✗ for buy → ✓ to buy。
别把 so that 和 so … that 搞混。 第30课学了 so … that——“那么……，以至于……”：结果。这里的 so that 是“为了”：目的。区别在于 so 和 that 之间有没有别的词：
| I left early so that I could catch the train. | 我早早出门，为了赶上火车。——目的 |
| I left so early that I caught the earlier train. | 我出门那么早，结果赶上了早一班的火车。——结果 |
原因——为什么。
because + 句子：We took a taxi because it was raining. because of + 名词：We took a taxi because of the rain. 意思一样，后面接的形式不同。
as 和 since + 句子——也是“因为，既然”。原因是双方都知道的或者很明显的时候用它们，通常放在句首：As it was late, we decided to stay. Since you're here, can you help me? 听起来比 because 稍微书面一点。 since 你在 A2 第5课学过，意思是“自从”；靠动词的时态区分：I've lived here since I was ten——时间， Since you're busy, I'll ask Tom——原因。
口语里回答 Why? 可以只用一个 Because…：— Why are you leaving? — Because I'm tired. 书面上不单独写以 Because 开头的句子：要把它和主句连在一起。
让步——“虽然”“尽管”。 让步承认一个对你不利的事实——但还是引出你的决定。承认反对意见而不放弃自己的观点，靠的就是它。
although + 句子：Although it was expensive, we bought it. though 意思一样，只是更口语。它还可以放在句末，前面加逗号：It was expensive. We bought it, though.——“是挺贵的。不过我们还是买了。”
even though 语气更强：事实确实存在，而且分量不轻，可还是没能阻止：Even though he apologised, she didn't forgive him.——“尽管他道了歉，她还是没原谅他。”
despite 和 in spite of + 名词或者 -ing：Despite the rain, we went out. In spite of being tired, she finished the report. despite 不带 of，in spite of 带 of。要接整个句子，就得用 despite the fact that：Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.
however——“然而，不过”。它不是连词：它放在两个独立的句子之间，后面加逗号：It was raining. However, we went out. 最简单的办法是用 but：It was raining, but we went out.
一个连接只用一个连词。 汉语说“虽然……，但是……”很自然，两个词常常成对出现。英语里 although 和 but 不一起用：要么 Although it was raining, we went out，要么 It was raining, but we went out。
怎样承认反对意见。 口语里现成的说法：
| That's true, but I still think… | 这倒是，不过我还是认为…… |
| I see your point, but… | 我明白你的意思，不过…… |
| I know it's expensive. Even so, it's worth it. | 我知道这很贵。即便如此，也值得。 |
| Although it costs more, it'll save us time. | 这个贵一些，但能给我们省时间。 |
on time 和 in time。 汉语里一个是“准时”，一个是“及时，来得及”，意思不同：
| The train left on time. | 准点，按时刻表，没有晚 |
| We got to the station in time to catch the train. | 来得及：时间够用 |
on time——在规定的时刻，不晚。in time——足够早，来得及做某事：in time for dinner，in time to say goodbye。just in time——“刚好赶上，在最后一刻”。
更多例子：
| I'm learning Spanish to talk to my wife's family. | 我学西班牙语，是为了能和妻子的家人聊天。 |
| We booked early so that we could get a good price. | 我们早早订好，为了拿到好价钱。 |
| The match was cancelled because of the snow. | 比赛因为下雪取消了。 |
| As we had no car, we took the bus. | 我们没有车，所以坐了公共汽车。 |
| Despite all the problems, the project was a success. | 尽管困难重重，项目还是成功了。 |
不能这样说。 ✗ in order to that she could come → ✓ so that she could come。in order to 后面接动词，不接句子。
自我检测。 I left early so that I could catch the train 和 I left so early that I caught the train 有什么区别？用 despite 改写：Although he was ill, he went to work. on time 还是 in time： We got there just ___ to see the start？
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中文母语者的常见错误
已针对你的语言编写although 和 but 一起用。
✗ Although it was raining, but we went out
✓ Although it was raining, we went out
。汉语“虽然……，但是……”成对出现，于是英语里也两个都用。英语一个连接只用一个连词：要么 although，要么 but。“因为……所以……”也一样：✗ Because it was late, so we took a taxi （第2课）。
despite 当成“尽管”。
✗ Despite it was late, we kept working，✗ despite of the rain → ✓ Although it was late…，despite the rain 或者 in spite of the rain。“尽管”后面可以直接接句子， despite 只能接名词或者 -ing；接句子要用 although。of 是从 in spite of 借过来的。
because of 后面接句子。
✗ We were late because of the traffic was bad
✓ because the traffic was bad
或者 because of the bad traffic。“因为”后面句子、名词都能接：“因为堵车”“因为路上车太多”。英语里接句子用 because，接名词用 because of。
“为了”译成 for。
✗ I came for finish the report，✗ I went to the shop for buying some bread → ✓ I came to finish the report，I went to the shop to buy some bread。动词前面表示目的要用 to（A2 第21课），for 只用在名词前面：for some milk。
so that 后面漏掉主语。
✗ I'm learning English so that get a better job
✓ so that I can get a better job
或者 to get a better job。汉语“为了”后面不用再说“我”，可 so that 后面是完整的句子，主语不能少。
发音
4 分钟连接词的重音： although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ 和 despite /dɪˈspaɪt/——在第二个音节；however /haʊˈevə/——也在第二个音节。because 在快速的口语里缩成 /bɪˈkəz/，甚至 /kəz/；书面上口语化的 'cos 只出现在聊天和短信里。
though、through、thought——三个很像的词，听的时候容易混淆：
| though | /ðəʊ/——浊音 /ð/，双元音 /əʊ/ |
| through | /θruː/——“穿过，通过”，清音 /θ/ |
| thought | /θɔːt/——“想”的过去式，清音 /θ/ |
让步部分后面的停顿有意义。 从句末尾语调上扬，接着一个短停顿，主句用降调：
Although it was raining ↗ ‖ we went out ↘.
句首的 However 自成一段，后面有停顿：However ‖ we went out.
课文
5 分钟Last 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.
练习
32 分钟1. 填入
- 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. 合成一句。
- 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. 改写，
- 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. 找出错误并改正。
- 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. 译成英语。
1) 我早点儿来，是为了占到好座位。 2) 虽然这个方案很贵，但我觉得值得。 3) 尽管有延误，我们还是赶上了火车。 4) 既然你有空，就帮帮我吧。 5) 我明白你的意思，不过我还是认为这是正确的决定。
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6. 回应反对意见，
不放弃自己的观点：承认事实，再解释你的决定。下面的答案是范例。 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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小结
本课已学：用 to、in order to、so that 和 for + 名词表示目的；so that 和 so … that 的区别；用 because、because of、as、since 表示原因；用 although、though、even though、despite、 in spite of、however 表示让步；承认反对意见的说法；on time 和 in time 的区别。下一课——第33课：过去的习惯和现在的习惯。
核心内容结束
完成练习后即视为课程结束。此后的内容均为可选。
可选
词卡词汇
16 词- in order to /ɪn ˈɔːdə tə/ 为了
- so that /ˈsəʊ ðət/ 为了，以便（+ 句子）
- although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/ 虽然
- even though /ˌiːvn ˈðəʊ/ 尽管，即使
- despite /dɪˈspaɪt/ 尽管，不管
- in spite of /ɪn ˈspaɪt əv/ 尽管，不管
- however /haʊˈevə/ 然而，不过
- even so /ˌiːvn ˈsəʊ/ 即便如此
- on time /ɒn ˈtaɪm/ 准时
- reliable /rɪˈlaɪəbl/ 可靠的
- insurance /ɪnˈʃʊərəns/ 保险
- get around /ˌɡet əˈraʊnd/ 出行，到处走动
- hire /ˈhaɪə/ 租用
- van /væn/ 厢式货车，面包车
- driving licence /ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˌlaɪsns/ 驾驶执照，驾照
- plaster /ˈplɑːstə/ 创可贴
写作
写六七个句子，讲一个你最近做的决定：为了什么这样做，为什么，有哪些不利的因素——以及为什么你还是对的。
范例： 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.
检查清单：despite 和 because of 后面是名词或者 -ing，不是句子吗？despite 后面没有 of 吧？目的有另一个主语的地方，用的是 so that（而不是 to）吗？一个连接只用一个连词，没有 although … but 吧？