Conjunctions & prepositions (Units 113, 115, 121, 122, 128) (Self-study: U128 to 136)
Conjunctions? (voegwoorden)
Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses together.
I like cooking and eating, but I don’t like washing dishes afterward. Sophie is clearly
exhausted, yet she insists on dancing till dawn.
Prepositions?
Prepositions indicate direction, time, location, and spatial relationships, as well as other
abstract types of relationships.
1. Direction: Look to the left and you’ll see our destination.
2. Time: We’ve been working since this morning.
3. Location: We saw a movie at the theater.
4. Space: The dog hid under the table.
Unit 113: although, though, even though, in spite of, despite
After although we use a subject + verb
Vb. Although it rained a lot, they had a good time
After in spite of or despite we use a noun, a pronoun (this/that/what/…) or -ing
Vb. In spite of the rain, we had a good time
Vb. In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you
Vb. I didn’t apply for the job in spite of having the necessary qualifications
Though = although
Vb. I didn’t apply for the job though I had the necessary qualifications
Even though (but not ‘even’ alone) is similar to although
Vb. Even though I was really tired, I couldn’t sleep
,Unit 115: unless, as long as, provided
Unless
Vb. The club is for members only you can’t go in unless you are a member
This means:
- you can’t go in except if you are a member
- you can go in only if you are a member
Unless = except if
As long as/so long as (= if, on condition that)
Vb. You can borrow my car as long as/ so long as you promise not to drive too fast
(= you can borrow my car, but you must promise not to drive too fast. This is condition)
Provided/providing
Vb. Travelling by car is convenient provided/providing (that) you have somewhere to park
(= it’s convenient but only if you have somewhere to park)
Vb. provided/providing (that) the room is clean, I don’t mind which hotel we stay at
( = the room must be clean, but otherwise I don’t mind)
, Unit 121: at/on/in (time)
At: for the time of day (at 11.45, at midnight, at lunchtime, at sunset, at five o’clock)
Vb. I will be there at 5 o’clock.
On: for days and dates (on Friday, on 16 May 2020, on New Year’s Day, on my birthday)
Vb. My birthday is on the 27th of December.
In: for longer periods - months, years, seasons (in June, in 2020, in the past, in winter)
Vb. My daughter will be born in summer.
Some difficulties!
AT Easter – AT Christmas “during” is fine too
On Christmas Day = OK
Which preposition do you prefer?
Will you be here on/at the weekend?
At the weekend =
On the weekend =
During the weekend = always correct