Such as
We can use such as to introduce an example or examples of something we mention. We
normally use a comma before such as when we present a list of examples. Where there is just
one example, we don’t need a comma:
The shop specializes in tropical fruits, such as pineapples, mangoes, and papayas. (… for
example, pineapples, mangoes, and papayas.)
Countries such as Sweden have a long record of welcoming refugees from all over the world.
Such as is similar to like for introducing examples, but it is more formal, and is used more in
writing than like:
She has worked in several countries where English is spoken as a first language, such as
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and so on. (or, less formal, … like Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, and so on.)
Warning:
We don’t use as on its own to introduce examples:
Young kids these days seem to love 1960s rock bands, such as the Beatles, the Kinks, or the
Rolling Stones.
Not: … to love 1960s rock bands, as the Beatles …
Warning:
We don’t use such as when we compare things:
The group from Dublin all wore green, white, or gold t-shirts, like the colors of their national
flag.
Not: … such as the colors of their national flag.
As, because, and since
As, because, and since are conjunctions. As, because, and since all introduce subordinate
(dependent/non-essential) clauses. They connect the result of something with its reason.
result
He decided to go to the conference in Barcelona,
Are you angry with me
Bilardo coaches his team by telephone,
(Bilardo was the coach of the Argentinian football
team)
reason
as he was in Spain anyway.
because I opened the letter?
since half of them play in Italy, France or
Spain.
Because
Because is more common than as and since, both in writing and speaking. When we use because,
we are focusing on the reason:
She spoke quietly because she didn’t want Catherine to hear.
We’ll come over on Sunday because David’s got to work on Saturday.
We often put the because-clause at the beginning of a sentence, especially when we want to give
extra focus to the reason. We use a comma after the because-clause:
Because breathing is something we do automatically, we rarely think about it.
We can use a because-clause on its own without the main clause in speaking or informal writing:
A:
Would you like to go to school there?
B:
Yes.
A:
Why?
B:
Because my best friend goes there. (I would like to go to school there because my best friend
goes there.)
Warning:
We don’t use a because-clause on its own in formal writing:
In 1998, the government introduced a new import tax because people were importing cars from
abroad.
Not: … a new import tax. Because people were importing cars from abroad.
Although or though?
Although and though meaning ‘in spite of’
Although and though both mean ‘in spite of something.’ They are subordinating conjunctions.
This means that the clause they introduce is a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause to
make it complete:
[main clause]Everyone enjoyed the trip to the final although [subordinate clause] we lost the
match!
[subordinate clause]Though it was rainy, [main clause] we put on our jackets and went for a
walk.
Spoken English:
Though is more common than although in general and it is much more common than although in
speaking. For emphasis, we often use even with though (but not with although).
Warning:
When the though/although clause comes before the main clause, we usually put a comma at
the end of the clause. When the main clause comes first, we don’t need to use a comma.
Because of the rules we are learning for SAT/ACT, please use the correct punctuation with
a semi-colon and a comma whenever you have clear independent clauses on either side.
Even though I earn a lot of money every month, I never seem to have any to spare!
I still feel hungry even though I had a big lunch.
Although and though with -ing clauses
In formal situations, we can use although and though to introduce an -ing clause:
[a teacher talking about a student]
Peter, although working harder this term, still needs to put more work into mathematics.
[a doctor talking about a patient]
The patient, though getting stronger, is still not well enough to come off his medication.
Although and though with reduced clauses
In formal speaking or writing, we can use although, though, and even though to introduce a
clause without a verb (a reduced clause):
Raymond, although very interested, didn’t show any emotion when she invited him to go for a
walk.
[referring to a car]
Though more expensive, the new model is safer and more efficient.
Although and though meaning ‘but’
When the although/though clause comes after a main clause, it can also mean ‘but it is also true
that …’:
Karen is coming to stay next week; although, I’m not sure what day she is coming.
We didn’t make any profit; though, nobody knows why.
Though meaning ‘however’
Spoken English:
Especially in speaking, we can use though (but not although or even though) with a meaning
similar to however or nevertheless. In these cases, we usually put it at the end of a clause:
A:
You have six hours in the airport between flights!
B:
I don’t mind, though. I have lots of work to do. I’ll just bring my laptop with me.
A:
It’s expensive.
B:
It’s nice, though.
A:
Yeah, I think I’ll buy it.
As though
As though has a meaning very similar to as if.
As if is much more common than as though:
You look as though/as if you have seen a ghost!
He looks as though/as if he hasn’t slept.
So that or in order that?
We use so that and in order that to talk about purpose. We often use them with modal verbs
(can, would, will, etc.). So that is far more common than in order that, and in order that is more
formal:
I’ll go by car so that I can take more luggage.
We left a message with his neighbor, so that he would know we’d called.
[on a website]
In order that you can sign the form, please print it out and mail it to this address.
We often leave out that after so in informal situations:
I’ve made some sandwiches, so (that) we can have a snack on the way.
When referring to the future, we can use the present simple or will/’ll after so that. We usually
use the present simple after in order that to talk about the future:
I’ll post the CD today, so that you get it by the weekend. (or … so that you will get it …)
We will send you a reminder in order that you arrive on time for your appointment. (or … so that
you arrive on time … or … so that you’ll arrive on time …)
So that (but not in order that) can also mean ‘with the result that’:
The birds return every year around March, so that April is a good time to see them.
In order to
In order to is a subordinating conjunction.
We use in order to with an infinitive form of a verb to express the purpose of something. It
introduces a subordinate clause. It is more common in writing than in speaking:
[main clause]Mrs Weaver had to work full-time [subordinate clause] in order to earn a living
for herself and her family of five children.
We all need stress in order to achieve and do our best work.
The negative of in order to is in order not to:
They never parked the big van in front of the house in order not to upset the neighbors.