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B2 FIRST · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Linkers: although, despite, because of

Although vs despite, because vs because of / due to, apart from, instead of, as soon as and more.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

Linkers join ideas. In Part 4 the trick is knowing what comes after each one: a full sentence, a noun or an -ing form.

Contrast

although / even though / though
+ subject + verb
Although it was raining, we went out.
despite / in spite of
+ noun or -ing (no subject + verb!)
Despite the rain, we went out. In spite of feeling tired, she went.
despite the fact that
+ subject + verb
Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.

Reason and result

because / as / since
+ subject + verb
We stayed in because it was cold.
because of / due to / on account of
+ noun or -ing
The match was cancelled due to the snow.
thanks to
+ noun (for a good result)
Thanks to his help, I passed.
so / as a result
introduce the result
It was cold, so we stayed in.

Other useful linkers

apart from / except (for)
= but not
Everyone came apart from Sam.
instead of
+ noun or -ing
Let's walk instead of taking the bus.
as soon as
+ present simple for the future
I'll call you as soon as I arrive.
according to
= as said by
According to the forecast, it will rain.

Part 2 favourites

These linkers are common one-word answers in Part 2.

whereas / while
a contrast between two facts
I love the sea, whereas my sister prefers the mountains.
even (though / if)
makes the contrast stronger
I'll go even if it rains.
whether / if
two possibilities
I don't know whether to stay or go.
when / once / while
time
Once you have finished, you can go.
such as / as well as / so that
examples, "and also", purpose
sports such as tennis; we left early so that we could park
rather than
one thing and not the other
Let's walk rather than drive.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (2–5 words).

Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
SPITE
In spite of being tired, she finished her homework.

In spite of + -ing (or a noun: in spite of her tiredness).

The flight was delayed because the weather was bad.
DUE
The flight was delayed due to the bad weather.

Due to + noun: the weather was bad → the bad weather.

Tim was the only person who didn't pass the exam.
APART
Everyone passed the exam apart from Tim.

Apart from = except.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ Despite it was raining, we went out.✓ Although it was raining, we went out. / Despite the rain, we went out.Despite + noun or -ing, not a subject + verb.
  • ✗ We stayed in because of it was cold.✓ We stayed in because it was cold.Because + subject + verb; because of + noun.
  • ✗ I'll call you as soon as I will arrive.✓ I'll call you as soon as I arrive.No 'will' after as soon as, when, before or until.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

Check what comes after the gap. A subject + verb (it was raining) needs although / because. A noun or -ing (the rain, being tired) needs despite / because of / due to.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 2–5 words.

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