Grammar Topic 4 - Joining Words and Phrases

Grammar – Topic 4

Joining Words and Phrases

When we converse and write in English, we often have many ideas that we want to communicate to others. We can write all our ideas in short, simple sentences such as, 'I am happy. I have tickets for the latest Ariana Grande concert. I will save my pocket money. I can buy merchandise during the concert.'

There is nothing wrong with the sentences above, but there are ways we can join the sentences so that we can express ourselves in more interesting ways. For example, 'I am happy because I have tickets for the latest Ariana Grande concert. I will save my pocket money so that I can buy merchandise during the concert.'

How do we join our ideas? 
We can use certain words to show the relationship between our ideas. We join words and phrases using these words. It is important to understand when to use these words and what the correct sentence structures are.

Questions on joining words may appear in the grammar MCQ section of booklet A (Paper 2), and the grammar cloze, editing, and synthesis and transformation sections of booklet B (Paper 2) of the PSLE. 

(A) To state the reason:

because of, due to, owing to, as a result of, as, for, since

Examples:

Jeremy was substituted during the football match because of an ankle injury.

because of: introduces the reason for being substituted, is used with a noun phrase (an ankle injury)

The collapse of the bridge was due to negligence.

due to: introduces the reason for the collapse of the bridge, is used with a noun (negligence)

Owing to the fact that proper warm-up exercises were not carried out, the players suffered from muscle strain during the game.

owing to: introduces the reason for suffering from muscle strain, is used with the noun clause (the fact that proper warm-up exercises were not carried out)

Remember to use a comma when the subordinate clause (the part of the sentence with the reason) is placed at the start of the sentence.

Click here (TBD)to learn more commas.

Examples:

As a result of the typhoon, many of the residents are homeless.

as a result of: introduces the reason for being homeless, is used with the noun (the typhoon)

The police cannot charge the suspect as not enough evidence has been found.

as: introduces the reason for not charging the suspect

She left the house earlier than usual for she did not want to be caught in peak hour traffic.

for: introduces the reason for leaving the house earlier than usual

Since you are good at art, I hope you can contribute to the mural.

since: introduces the reason why I want you to contribute to the mural

(B) To state condition:

if, even if, only if, until, unless, as long as

Examples:

The flight will be delayed if there is a thunderstorm.

if: introduces the condition for the flight to be delayed

I will not live in this dilapidated part of the town even if the accommodation is cheap.

even if: introduces an extreme condition

He will take on the new job only if the salary is higher than his current one.

only if: introduces a strong and important condition which is that the salary of the new job must be higher than his current one

The loyal fans waited until their favourite star arrived at the airport.

until: introduces the condition for the fans to wait at the airport

Unless you purchase a ticket, you will not be allowed into the auditorium.

unless: introduces the condition for being able to get into the auditorium.

Tourists are allowed into the temple as long as they obey the rules.

as long as: introduces the condition for tourists being allowed into the temple

(C) To state time and sequence:

then, while, before, after

Examples:

She turned on the fire, then she poured oil into the wok.

then: means ‘next’

Did you have a cup of coffee while waiting for the bus to arrive?

while: states two things that are happening at the same time (drinking coffee and waiting for the bus)

I had attended a scuba diving training course before I went diving.

before: 1^st event à attended a scuba diving training course

            2^nd event à went diving

After we had discussed the project, we told our teacher our proposal.

after: 1^st event à discussed the project

           2^nd event à told our teacher our proposal

(D) To state contrast:

but, however, although, yet, in spite of, despite

Examples:

-  I enjoy outdoor sports but I do not enjoy playing badminton.

-  Ken adopted a pet dog. However, he did not take care of it.

-  Although she was exhausted, she did not stop training.

-  It was foggy, yet the hiker managed to find his way down the mountain.

-  In spite of the cost, he insisted on staying at the five-star hotel.

-  Despite the efforts of the authorities to stop poaching, the tiger population continued to dwindle. 

(E) To state purpose:

so that, in order to, so as to

Examples:

I bought tomatoes and lettuce so that I could make a sandwich.

so that: introduces the purpose of an action (buying tomatoes and lettuce)

In order to attend the course, you must pay the registration fees.

in order to: introduces the purpose of the action (paying the registration fees)

She saved her pocket money so as to buy a computer at the end of the year.

so as to: introduces the purpose of the action (saving her pocket money)

(F) To state cause and effect:

so that, therefore

Examples:

Jane bought a yoga mat so that she could take up yoga classes.

so that: introduces the cause

cause: taking up yoga classes

effect: buying a yoga mat

There was insufficient evidence to arrest the suspect. Therefore, he was released from custody.

therefore: introduces the effect

cause: insufficient evidence

effect: released from custody

Let’s Practise!

Join the sentences to form one sentence using the words given in brackets.

1.  The elderly lady wants to earn a living. She works at the fast food restaurant. (in order to)

2.  We cannot enter the museum. We must buy the entrance ticket. (unless)

3.  She is ill. She has to remain in bed. (owing to)

4.  There was a miscommunication. The group of friends waited at different meeting points. (because of)

5.  She lost both her legs in an accident but she refused to give up playing basketball. (despite)

6.  Jeremy dislikes outdoor activities. He has agreed to go for the school camp. (although)

7.  Alice wants to work in Japan. She will learn how to speak and write Japanese. (since)

8.  She was inattentive. She did not understand what was taught. (as a result of)

Answers:

1.     In order to earn a living, the elderly lady works at the fast food restaurant. / The elderly lady works at the fast food restaurant in order to earn a living.

2.     We cannot enter the museum unless we buy the entrance ticket. / Unless we buy the entrance ticket, we cannot enter the museum.

3.     Owing to her illness, she has to remain in bed. / She has to remain in bed owing to her illness.

4.     The group of friends waited at different meeting points because of a miscommunication.

5.     Despite losing both her legs in an accident, she refused to give up playing basketball. / She refused to give up playing basketball despite losing both her legs in an accident.

6.     Although Jeremy dislikes outdoors activities, he has agreed to go for the school camp. / Jeremy has agreed to go for the school camp although he dislikes outdoor activities.

7.     Alice will learn how to speak and write Japanese since she wants to work in Japan. / Since Alice wants to work in Japan, she will learn how to speak and write Japanese.

8.     As a result of her inattentiveness, she did not understand what was taught. / She did not understand what was taught as a result of her inattentiveness.