"Thanks for helping me get the A+.  I'm going to grad school!" --Simon D., UCLA

  The Web site just for English students       December 3rd, 2024 10:48am      
click here to return to MyEnglishTeacher.net home
sign up for FREE English lessons, FREE updates and news, and great offers for English students!
have an English teacher correct your essay, composition, report or any other type of writing
have a professional correct or write your resume and cover letter!
see past lessons that have appeared on MyEnglishTeacher.net!
see this week's FREE English lesson
click here to enter the LIVE chat room
click here for great resources for teachers

buy textbooks and English books at great prices!

contact us--we'd love to hear from you!

 

Looking for something?


 

 

 

 



Welcome to this week's FREE English lesson on the Web's best site for ESL students and teachers...

In English, we often add words and phrases at the beginning of sentences to introduce a new idea or additional idea.  Here are 5 examples of those words/phrases:

In spite of In addition, On the other hand,
Although Because of

The above phrases indicate either “same direction” or “change direction.”  In other words, the information that comes after these phrases is either continuing the previous idea or is adding information different from the previous idea.  Take this quiz, and then see the answers and explanations below.  Enjoy!

1.  It looks like they are going to pass the class, ___________ not studying.

A. On the other hand,    B.  In addition,   C.  Although   D. Because of  E. In spite of

2. ___________ his excellent resume, he was able to get a dozen job interviews.

A. On the other hand,    B.  In addition,   C.  Although   D. Because of    E. In spite of

3. Jackie loves to visit museums.  _______________ he loves reading about them.

A. On the other hand,    B.  In addition,   C.  Although   D. Because of    E. In spite of

4. My brother is very tall.  ________________ I am kind of short.

A. On the other hand,    B.  In addition,   C.  Although   D. Because of    E. In spite of

5.  ________________ Tony worked very hard this summer, he still did not have enough money to travel to Europe.

A. On the other hand,    B.  In addition,   C.  Although   D. Because of    E. In spite of

 

 

1. E.  Here we use "in spite of" because this phrase indicates a change of direction in what the listener expects.  When people don't study, you expect them NOT to pass the class.  The people in this sentence did NOT study.  However, they WILL pass the class.  "In spite of" is followed by a noun or gerund and NOT a complete sentence.  

"In spite of I didn't study, I will pass" is INCORRECT.  

"In spite of not studying, I will pass" is CORRECT.

 

2. . D.  "Because of" and "in spite of" are very similar.  "In spite of" is used when the listener hears something that he/she doesn't expect.  "Because of" is used when the listener hears something that he expects.  When a person has a great résumé, you expect that they will get some job interviews.  Like "in spite of," "because of"  is followed by a noun or gerund and NOT a complete sentence.

"Because of she wrote a great résumé, she got lots of job interviews" is INCORRECT.

"Because of her great résumé, she got lots of job interviews" is CORRECT.

3. B. "Jackie loves to visit museums.  In addition,  he loves reading about them."  Here, we are just adding information.  It is the same direction.  Jackie loves A and B.
4. A. The phrase "on the other hand" is the opposite of "in addition."  We are completely changing direction.  In the sentence "my brother is very tall.  ________________ I am kind of short" we are first talking about my tall brother.  Afterwards, we discuss how short I am.

 5. C.  "Although" has virtually the same meaning as "in spite of," but "although" IS followed by a complete sentence (remember "in spite of" is NOT followed by a complete sentence). Compare the following to number 1 above:

"Although I didn't study, I will pass" is CORRECT

"Although not studying, I will pass" is INCORRECT.

 

 

 

Looking for a great video series to learn business English?  We have a great set that comes with 2 videos to help you learn English that is used in business situations.  Click here for more details.

 Our recommendations for this week.  

 

     Videos                    Books

cover  

cover  

 

cover  

cover  

  A two-tape video set to help you learn business English

This is a great video to help beginners learn English skills--and not just through a book.

  Do you want to speak like an American?  Do you want to use common American idioms and slang?  This is a great book for you!

  Here's a popular book to help you learn natural spoken American English.

Would you like to sign up your friends and family to also receive these FREE English lessons?  Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

© 2000 MyEnglishTeacher.net.  All rights reserved.  No information or lessons contained on this page or any page in this Web site may be used without the expressed written permission of MyEnglishTeacher.net.  This lesson may only be copied and may only be used in a classroom for educational purposes exclusively.  When using in a classroom for educational purposes, this copyright notice MUST be included on all copies. The material contained on this page and all pages in this Web site are covered by copyright laws.  Therefore, no material may be used for another Web site, book, magazine, or any other use.  To use this material, please email us at support@myenglishteacher.net

©2000 Advanced Learning Center.  All rights reserved.  If you find an error on this Web site,  please email us and let us know.  We appreciate all feedback and suggestions.