REASON, PURPOSE, RESULT, CONDITION ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE

 

ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE UNIT 94 REASON, PURPOSE, RESULT, CONDITION

 

A Reason I went home early because I was feeling tired. As/Since I was feeling tired, I went home early. (We don’t usually start a sentence with because.) I was feeling tired, so I went home early. (This is very common in spoken English.) The reason I went home early was that I was feeling tired. We can also use because of with a different construction. Compare: They go there because the weather is wonderful. (because + noun + verb) They go there because of the wonderful weather. (because of + (adjective) + noun) Due to means the same as because of, and is often used to explain the reason for a problem. The plane was late due to bad weather. (Due to is often used after the verb be.) Common mistakes   It’s a pity you can’t go on holiday because Chiclayo is very nice. (NOT It’s a pity you can’t go on holiday because of Chiclayo is very nice.) We moved house because of my father’s work. (NOT We moved house because my father’s work.) B Purpose A purpose is an intention or reason for doing something. The purpose of the meeting is to plan next year’s timetable. [the reason for the meeting] We often introduce a purpose using so (that) or (in order) to: I bought this book so (that) I could improve my English. They went home early (in order) to watch the match on television. We moved house so (that) we could send our children to this school. She went into town (in order) to do some shopping. C Result These link words/phrases are used when one thing happens because another thing has happened. Therefore and as a result are more formal than so, and less common in spoken English. I left my ticket at home, so I had to buy another one. They’ve got more money, and therefore they can afford to buy the best football players. I forgot to send the email. As a result, no one knew about the meeting. D Conditions We sometimes use whether [if] when we are not sure about something. I didn’t buy it because I wasn’t sure whether you’d like it. I spoke to the others, but I don’t know whether they’re coming. We’ll be late unless we leave now. [if we don’t leave now] Unless the weather improves [if the weather doesn’t improve], we won’t be able to go. I have to go now, otherwise [because if I don’t] I’ll miss the last bus. You’ll have to turn up the music, otherwise [because if you don’t] they won’t be able to hear it. You can borrow it as long as you bring it back by Thursday. [but you must bring it back] You can wear what you like as long as you look quite smart. [but you must look quite smart] I’m taking my umbrella in case it rains. [I’m doing A because B might happen later.] Take some money in case you need to get a taxi. EXERCISES 94.1 Rewrite the sentences using because of. Make any necessary changes. 1 I couldn’t play because my arm was broken. _____ I couldn’t play because of my broken arm. ____ 2 Teresa got the job because her exam results were good. ___________________________ 3 The weather was terrible, so we couldn’t eat outside. ___________________________ 4 As she had a cold, she didn’t go to school. ___________________________ 5 The light was bad, so the referee stopped the game. ___________________________ 6 The traffic was terrible; I was late. ___________________________ 7 He’s only 17, and therefore he can’t vote. ___________________________ 94.2 Complete the sentences. 1 I must write that letter now, _____otherwise ____ I’ll forget to do it. 2 I’ll take some sandwiches with me __________ I get hungry. 3 We agreed to buy my daughter a dog __________ she takes it for a walk every day. 4 I left early __________ miss the rush-hour traffic. 5 My girlfriend didn’t feel very well. __________, we left the party quite early. 6 __________ there’s a problem, I won’t disturb you. 7 You can borrow my dictionary __________ you bring it back on Monday. 8 You’d better tidy your room, __________ your mother will be angry. 9 I sent Luiza an invitation, but I don’t know __________ she’s coming. 10 The __________ I didn’t ring you was that I’d lost your phone number. 94.3 Complete the memo. 94.4

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