Lesson 45: Unit 186 - Linking Expressions
This lesson looks at linking expressions such as and, but, so, when, whereas, thus, as a result, although, in spite of and despite, illustrated through an authentic text about the teacher Dorothy Bean
About this lesson
In this lesson you will learn how to use linking expressions to connect ideas and sentences in a natural, fluent way. We will work with an authentic story about an inspiring teacher and fill in the gaps with words such as and, but, so, when, whereas, thus and as a result. You will also learn the important grammatical difference between although (followed by a subject and a verb) and in spite of / despite (followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form). All the examples come directly from the text and the grammar explanations in the lesson.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Recognise and use linking expressions: and, but, so, when, whereas, thus, then, as a result, that's why, that's how, though, after
- Understand the difference between although + subject + verb and in spite of / despite + noun / -ing / this / that / what
- Use in spite of the fact that and despite the fact that correctly
- Answer reading comprehension questions at B1 level
- Build more complex sentences by linking ideas of contrast and of cause and effect
Lesson vocabulary
- linking expression We use linking expressions to connect ideas smoothly.
- whereas Whereas my other teachers ignored me, Miss Bean went straight at me.
- thus Thus the teacher began to give me human dimensions.
- as a result The incident became a legend; as a result, I became a person to talk to.
- that's why That's why there was a lot of angry talk among adults.
- that's how That's how I became just another kid in the school.
- though He gave me human dimensions, though not perfect ones for an 8th grader.
- in spite of In spite of the rain, we went out.
- despite Despite what I said yesterday, I didn't mean to hurt you.
- although Although I was tired, I went out.
- pristine Their neighbourhood had previously been pristine in their terms.
- newcomer I was a 12-year-old black newcomer in a school that was otherwise all white.
- dominant culture Here in Grand Rapids, the dominant culture was loudly speaking to me.
- icebreaker That was the icebreaker — I became a person to talk to.
- tentatively 'I guess so,' I replied tentatively.
In other languages: Български