Welcome to this week's writing lesson from

 MyEnglishTeacher.net

Would you expect your friend to say the next sentence?

You would not expect your friend to say I feel great after she broke her leg.  The first sentence above is what we call an expected result.  We expect a person to say she feels terrible after breaking a bone.  The second sentence is something we do not expect.  Therefore, it is called an unexpected result.  We don't expect someone to say she feels great after breaking her leg. 

There is one more thing to look at in the second sentence:  the word but.  In the first sentence, the 2 ideas (I broke my leg and I feel terrible) are connected with the word and.  And continues the idea, and it connects two ideas that are related.  It can also be used in sentences that show expected results.  The second sentence has the word but.  But is used to show a change of ideas. You probably use the word but all the time in your writing; however, a good writer uses different words and phrases in order to keep his/her writing interesting and varied.   In this lesson, we would like to show you other words and phrases that show unexpected results.  Though but can be used in sentences with unexpected results, but can be used in sentences that do NOT have unexpected results.  For example,

This sentence does not have an unexpected result; but is used just to show a contrast or change in idea.  Hence, be careful: don't use the following words and phrases anywhere you see but. 

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The first group of words we would like to introduce to you are like but, which means they are attached to the result.  These words are

Using the above example, let's see how these words are used:

Notice that these words begin new sentences.  There is a period before these 3 words.  If you would like, you can keep the sentences together by using a semicolon (;) instead of a period before them.  For example,

The next group of words are all attached to the cause.  These words and phrases are 

Again, using the above sentence, the following is how they would normally be used.

The above examples show normal ways these words are used.  Notice that the parts of the sentences that contain despite the fact that and in spite of the fact that are usually after the main part of the sentence (the main clause).

Lastly, we would like to introduce the following:

Take a look at these 2 sentences.

Do you see what comes after these phrases?  I broke my leg is a sentence and a complete idea.  However, despite and in spite of are attached to nouns.  Those nouns can have numbers and adjectives, and they can be gerunds (-ing ending words that are nouns but look like verbs, such as going).

In order to fix these sentences, make the part that says I broke my leg into a noun.  Thus, we can write

Or,

Now, these sentences are correct.  My broken leg is just a noun with adjectives.  Breaking (my leg) is a gerund. 

Let's take a look at one more example with despite and in spite of:

Look at what is attached to despite and in spite of: sentences.  How can we fix these sentences?  Just use nouns or gerunds.

In the first sentence, the heavy snow is a noun with an adjective (heavy) and an article (the).  In the second sentence, winning is a noun; it is called a gerund.

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Quiz time

Directions: For each of the following, put the 2 sentences together by using the word or phrase in the parentheses.  You may have to change some words.

1.  I fell down the stairs.  I am okay.  (however)

2.  In the early 1900's, the buffalo were almost extinct.  The buffalo population is now thriving.  (in spite of)

3.  Robin worked 14 hours a day for that company.  She was fired.  (nevertheless)

4.  The king traveled all over the country greeting everyone he met.  The citizens hated him.  (despite the fact that)

5.  I worked on my car all day.  It doesn't run.  (even though)

6.  Beth studied French since she was in high school.  She can't speak a word of French.  (although)

7.  Johnny sent his girlfriend a dozen roses and a diamond ring.  She doesn't want to marry him.  (nonetheless)

8.  Bobby and Susan spent the whole summer traveling in Europe.  They didn't spend a lot of money. (in spite of the fact that)

9.  I jumped out of an airplane, and the parachute didn't open.  I didn't even break a bone.  (though)

10.  I cut my finger very deeply.  I didn't need any stitches.  (despite)

I prefer to spend my free time reading, but my wife likes to take long walks in the park.  

Hence, be careful: don't use the above words and phrases anywhere you see but. The words and phrases you learned in this lesson are NOT always interchangeable with but.  

Even though I broke my leg, I feel great.

or

I feel great even though I broke my leg.

The parts of the sentence can be switched.  Notice, however, even though is always with the cause.  Here are other words and phrases that can be switched:

even though

although

though

despite the fact that

in spite of the fact that

despite

in spite of