Mastering Purpose and Contrast Connectors in English

Expressing Purpose: So As To and So That

Practice using connectors of purpose to join sentences effectively.

• 1) She uses a bike instead of a car. She wants to help the environment.
  Answer: She uses a bike instead of a car so as to help the environment.
• 2) I've brought a microphone so the audience will be able to hear us.
  Answer: I've brought a microphone so that the audience will be able to hear us.
• 3) We are going to drive carefully because we don't want to skid on the wet roads.
  Answer: We are going to drive carefully so as not to skid on the wet roads.
• 4) Leave the heating on. That way, the house won't get cold while we are out.
  Answer: Leave the heating on so that the house won't get cold while we are out.
• 5) I need to buy a new alarm clock. Then I won't be late for school every day.
  Answer: I need to buy a new alarm clock so as not to be late for school every day.
• 6) Please talk quietly. Otherwise, you may wake the baby.
  Answer: Please talk quietly so as not to wake the baby.
• 7) She wrote to her local politician because she wanted to complain about the roads.
  Answer: She wrote to her local politician so as to complain about the roads.
• 8) Call your mother every night or she'll worry to death.
  Answer: Call your mother every night so that she won't worry.
• 9) We're leaving the party early because we don't want to miss the last bus home.
  Answer: We're leaving the party early so as not to miss the last bus home.
• 10) She needs to earn more money. Then she can pay off her debts.
  Answer: She needs to earn more money so as to pay off her debts.

Expressing Contrast: Although and Despite

Improve your writing by using contrast connectors to link opposing ideas.

• 1) Sonia is often late, but Marta is always on time. (On the other hand)
  Answer: Sonia is often late. On the other hand, Marta is always on time.
• 2) Although we had a map, we got completely lost. (Despite)
  Answer: Despite having a map, we got completely lost.
• 3) Despite being held up in a traffic jam, they got to the airport in time. (Although)
  Answer: Although they were held up in a traffic jam, they got to the airport in time.
• 4) Although Michael had a shoulder injury, he won the tennis match. (In spite of)
  Answer: In spite of having a shoulder injury, he won the tennis match.
• 5) Despite feeling exhausted, Paula went to the party. (However)
  Answer: Paula felt exhausted. However, she went to the party.
• 6) In spite of the poor service, he gave the waiter a big tip. (Nevertheless)
  Answer: The service was poor. Nevertheless, he gave the waiter a big tip.
• 7) Although she was brilliant at maths, she was terrible at physics. (In spite of)
  Answer: In spite of being brilliant at maths, she was terrible at physics.
• 8) Men perform well in exams. However, they do less well at coursework. (Despite the fact that)
  Answer: Despite the fact that men perform well in exams, they do less well at coursework.
• 9) Despite doing lots of revision, they failed their exams. (Although)
  Answer: Although they did lots of revision, they failed their exams.