1B discourse markers (1): linkers
result
1 I have a job interview next week, so I’ve bought myself a suit!
2 It had snowed hard all night. As a result, the airport was closed until
11.00 a.m.
We regret that you do not have the necessary qualifications and therefore /
consequently we are unable to offer you the job.
1 so is the most common way of introducing a result or a logical
connection.
2 as a result, therefore, and consequently (more formal than so) are often
used at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
• therefore and consequently can also be used before a main verb, e.g. We
have therefore / consequently decided not to offer you the job.
1B discourse markers (1): linkers
reason
1 I have stopped writing to her, because / as / since she never answers me.
Why did your boss resign? Because his wife was ill.
2 The plane was late because of the fog.
Flight 341 has been delayed due to / owing to adverse weather conditions.
1 because, as, and since (more formal) are synonyms and are used to
introduce clauses giving a reason. as and since are often used at the
beginning of a sentence, e.g. As / Since the rain hasn’t stopped, we’ve
decided not to go out.
• We use because (not as or since) to answer a Why…? question.
2 because of, due to, and owing to also express the reason for something.
They are usually followed by a noun, a gerund, or the fact that + clause.
• due to and owing to are more formal than because of.
1B discourse markers (1): linkers
purpose
1 I did a language course to / in order to / so as to improve my English.
2 She closed the door quietly so as not to / in order not to wake the baby.
3 They moved to London so (that) they could see their grandchildren more
often.
4 I’m not going to tell Ann in case she tells everyone else.
1 to, in order to, and so as to introduce a clause of purpose and are all
followed by an infinitive. to is the most informal.
2 For negative purpose we use so as not to or in order not to.
3 You can also use so (that) + can / could + verb or will / would + verb to
express purpose. You can leave out that in informal English.
• Use so (that) when there is a change of subject in the clause of purpose,
e.g. She put a blanket over the baby so (that) he wouldn’t be cold.
4 We use in case + a clause when we do something in order to be ready for
future situations / problems or to avoid them.
1B discourse markers (1): linkers
contrast
1 We enjoyed the concert, but the journey home was a nightmare.
Agnes was attracted to the stranger, yet something in her head was telling
her not to get close to him.
It’s a really good idea. However, it may be too expensive.
The moon shone brightly. Nevertheless, it was hard to find our way.
1 but is the most common and informal way of introducing contrast and is
normally used to link two contrasting points within a sentence.
yet is used in the same way, but is more formal / literary.
however and nevertheless are normally used at the beginning of a sentence
to connect it to the previous one and are usually followed by a comma.
• nevertheless (or nonetheless) is more formal / literary than however.
1B discourse markers (1): linkers
contrast
2 We enjoyed the film although / even though / though it was long.
3 In spite of being 85, she still travels all over the world.
Despite her age…
Despite the fact that she’s 85…
2 even though is more emphatic than although. though is more common
in informal speech.
3 After in spite of and despite use a gerund, a noun, or the fact that +
clause.
