UNIT 40 Connectives

Time words and phrases

With some time words and phrases, we use the present simple to talk about the future. We don’t use

will or be going to.

after

I’ll call you after we solve the problem.

as soon as

I’ll call you as soon as we solve the problem.

before

It’ll be a few days before we find the solution.

until / till

I won’t call you until we find the solution.

when

It’ll be great when we find the solution.

while

I’ll be in the office while I deal with this problem.

WATCH OUT

We can also put these time words and phrases at the beginning of the sentence.

As soon as we solve the problem, I'll call you.

Although

We use the word although to express contrast.

Although + subject + verb, subject + verb

Although my homework was difficult, I finished it before

bed.

WATCH OUT

We can also put although in the middle of the sentence.

I finished my homework before bed, although it was

difficult.

In spite of / Despite

We use in spite of and despite to express contrast. They mean the same thing.

In spite of/despite + -ing form, subject + verb

In spite of revising for hours, I didn't do well in the test.

In spite of/despite + noun, subject + verb

Despite my revision, I didn't do well in the test.

WATCH OUT

We can also put in spite of and despite in the middle of the sentence.

I didn’t do well in the test, despite revising for hours.