DISCOURSE MARKERSResultReasonPurposeContrast

RESULT

SO: Ex.: I didn’t study, so I failed the exam. As a result, as a consequence, therefore,

consequently, thus, hence: more formal. Word order: at the beginning of the sentence

they introduce.

BUT ALSO: therefore and consequently before the main verb:Ex.: We have therefore decided to invest in your company.

REASON BECAUSE +clause:

Ex.: We study English because we love languages.

SINCE, AS (more formal)+clause

Word order: As - at the beginning of the full sentence:Ex: As the teacher wasn’t very proficient, we failed the course.

BECAUSE OF+ Noun Phrase:Ex.: He was hired because of his good skills.

OWING TO/DUE TO + Noun Phrase (more formal): Ex.: Due to staff shortage, our services will be

reduced.

PURPOSE To: Ex.: I’m doing this course to improve my English. in order to, so as to+ infinitive (more formal)

NEGATIVES: in order not to, so as not to:Ex.:The company is making workers redundant in order not to go bankrupt.

So (that)+can/could or will/would: OBLIGATORY when the subject is different in the two clauses: Ex.: The teacher has prepared this presentation so that the students can learn better.

Also: when the subject is different: in order for +object+infinitive with to:Ex. The teacher has prepared this presentation in order for the students to learn better.

CONTRAST 1 BUT, YET (formal) usually preceded by a comma:

Ex.: We like English, but our teacher is boring.Ex.: The teacher seemed nice, yet there was something in him she didn’t trust.

HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS (formal), NONETHELESS (very formal), at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a comma: Ex.: The teacher seemed nice. Nevertheless, there was something in him she didn’t trust.

CONTRAST 2 ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH (emphatic), THOUGH

(informal)+CLAUSE:Ex.: We still love English although/even though/ though/ our

teacher is very boring. BUT SOMETIMES, though goes at the end as a

comment adverb:Ex.: The teacher is nice- a bit boring, though.

IN SPITE OF, DESPITE +NOUN PHRASE:Ex.: In spite of/despite our terrible teacher, we still love English.

OR IN SPITE OF, DESPITE+THE FACT THAT+CLAUSE:Ex.: Despite the fact we have a terrible teacher, we still love English.