Because, in case, so, so that

B1-B1+
Grammar
Conjunctions

We use because to give the reason for something:

	REASON
Jack is in bed	*because* he’s got the flu.
We couldn’t go out	*because* the weather was terrible.
I took a taxi	*because* I was in a hurry.

We use because of with a noun (e.g. flu, weather, noise):

	REASON
Jack is in bed	*because of* the flu.
We couldn’t go out	*because of* the storm.
I couldn’t sleep	*because of* the noise.

We use in case when the reason is something that might happen:

	REASON
I’m taking an umbrella	*in case* it rains.
(= I’m taking an umbrella because it might rain.)
I’ll phone John now,	*in case* he wants to come with us.
(= … because he might want to come with us.)

We use so to talk about the result of something:

	RESULT
I was in a hurry	so I took a taxi.
Jack has got the flu	so he’s in bed.
The weather was terrible	so we couldn’t go out.
I forgot my umbrella	so I got wet.

We use so that to talk about the purpose of an action:

	PURPOSE
I took a taxi	*so that* I wouldn’t be late.
I watch the news	*so that* I know what’s happening in the world.
Tom goes jogging	*so that* he won’t get fat.
I took an umbrella	*so that* I wouldn’t get wet.

We can also use to + infinitive to talk about purpose. For more information, refer back to Purpose: What is it for? ~ It’s for cutting cloth..

PRACTICE

Now it is time to practise what you have learned.

For each Practice Test, read the instructions carefully.
Complete the exercise and press 'Check' to get your results.

Practice Test A

Practice Test B

Practice Test C

Practice Test D

Nigel Bailey

Nigel is a qualified Teacher of English as a Foreign Language and has been teaching in Poland since 2003. He has been teaching over the Internet since 2008 and has taught more than 1,000 students in this way.

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