BECAUSE OF – IN SPITE OF/ DESPITE
I. Adverb Phrase of Reason: Because of
Ex: - I can’t go to school yesterday because I am sick.
I can’t go to school because of my sickness.
- Nam missed the bus because he got up late.
Because of getting up late, Nam missed the bus.
Because of + Noun/ Noun Phrase (reason)
II. Adverb Phrase of Concession: Inspite of/ Despite
Ex: - The woman tries to climb the mountain even though she is old.
The woman tries to climb the mountain inspite of her old age.
- Although Nga is tired, she still begins her work on time.
Despite being tired, Nga still begins her work on time.
Inspite of/ Despite + Noun/ Noun Phrase (concession)
EXERCISES
I/ Supply either because or because of as appropriate
1. It was difficult to deliver the letter _______________ the sender had written
the wrong address on the envelope.
2. We decided to leave early _______________ the party was boring.
3. Rescue attempts were temporarily halted______________ the bad weather.
4. They visited their friends often ____________ they enjoyed their company.
5. Paul cannot go to the football game _______________ his grades.
6. Marcella was awarded a scholarship _________________ her superior
scholastic ability.
7. Nobody ventured outdoors ________________ the hurricane warnings.
8. We plan to spend our vacation in the mountains ______________ the air is
purer there.
9. We have to drive around the bay ________________ the bridge was
destroyed in the storm.
10. The chickens have died ________________ the intense heat.
II/ Change the sentences to incorporate the expressions in parentheses.
1. Despite her dislikes for coffee, she drank it to keep herself warm. (although)
…………………………………………………………………………….
2. Mary will take a plane, even though she dislikes flying. (in spite of)
…………………………………………………………………………….
3. In spite of Marcy’s sadness at losing the contest, she managed to smile.
(although)
…………………………………………………………………………….
4. We took many pictures though the sky was cloudy. (despite)
…………………………………………………………………………….
5. Despite her poor memory, the old woman told interesting stories to the
children. (even though)
…………………………………………………………………………….
6. Though he has been absent frequently, he has managed to pass the test. (in
spite of)
…………………………………………………………………………….
7. Nancy told me the secret despite having promised not to do so. (though)
…………………………………………………………………………….
8. We plan to buy a ticket for the drawing although we know we will not win a
prize. (even though)
…………………………………………………………………………….
9. Inspite of the high prices, my daughters insist on going to the movies every
Saturday. (even though)
…………………………………………………………………………….
10. He ate the chocolate cake even though he is on a diet. (in spite of)
…………………………………………………………………………….
III. Choose one sentence that best rewrites the sentence given:
1. I have tried hard but I can’t earn enough money.
A. Although I have tried hard, but I can’t earn enough money.
B. Although I have tried hard, I can’t earn enough money.
C. In spite of I have tried hard, I can’t earn enough money.
D. Despite I have tried hard, but I can’t earn enough money.
2. Although she felt jealous, she tried to hide her feelings.
A. Despite feeling jealous, she tried to hide her feelings.
B. Despite her jealousy, she tried to hide her feelings.
C. She tried to hide her feelings in spite of she felt jealous.
D. A & B are correct.
3. Although he took a taxi, Bill arrived late for the concert.
A. Bill arrived late for the concert because he takes a taxi.
B. Bill arrived late for the concert because of the taxi.
C. In spite of taking a taxi, Bill arrived late for the concert.
D. Although Bill took a taxi, he can’t come to the concert in time.
4. In spite of his suffering from a bad cold, William went to school.
A. Although he suffers from a bad cold, William went to school.
B. Although he suffered from a bad cold, William went to school.
C. William went to school although he is suffering from a bad cold.
D. William went to school; he suffered from a bad cold although.
5. Despite the fact that it was snowing, I felt warm.
A. In spite of snowing, I felt warm. B. In spite of feeling warm, it was
snowing.
C. Although it was snowing, I felt warm. D. Although I felt warm, it was
snowing.
6. Though he tried hard, he didn’t succeed.
A. Despite he tried hard, he didn’t succeed.
B. In spite of he tried hard, he didn’t succeed.
C. In spite of trying hard, he didn’t succeed.
D. Even though he tried hard, but he didn’t succeed.
7. My parents wanted me to go to university but I didn’t fancy it.
A. My parents wanted to go to university but I didn’t fancy it.
B. I didn’t fancy going to university as my parents did.
C. I didn’t fancy going to university although my parents wanted me to go.
D. I hardly fancied going to university but for my parents’ wish.
8. I agree he’s a good worker but I still don’t think he should get the job.
A. He can’t get the job though he was a good worker.
B. Despite the fact that he’s a good worker, I don’t think he should get the job.
C. He is such a good worker that he can get the job.
D. He is too bad to get the job.
9. He was very tired but he kept on working.
A. Despite he was very tired, he kept on working.
B. In spite of he was very tired, he kept on working.
C. Though his tiredness, he kept on working.
D. Although he was very tired, he kept on working.
10. The trip was boring but we enjoyed it a lot.
A. We enjoyed boring trips. B. We are bored with the trip.
C. We liked the trip very much even though it was boring.
D. The trip bored us.
11. Although Tom took a taxi, he was still late for the party.
A. In spite of Tom took a taxi, he was still late for the party.
B. Tom was still late for the party in spite of taking a taxi.
C. Despite took a taxi, Tom was still late for the party.
D. B & C are correct.
12. Although he is rich, he feels unhappy.
A. He feels unhappy because of his richness.
B. He feels unhappy, so he is rich.
C. Despite his richness, he feels unhappy.
D. He feels unhappy because he is rich.
13. My grandfather is very old, but he can walk to the station.
A. Although my grandfather is very old, he can walk to the station.
B. My grandfather can walk to the station despite the fact that he is very old.
C. Despite his old age, my grandfather can walk to the station.
D. All are correct.
14. In spite of his old age, Mr. Brown jogs seven miles every morning.
A. Although of Mr. Brown old, he jogs seven miles every morning.
B. Although Mr. Brown old, he jogs seven miles every morning.
C. Although Mr. Brown is old, he jogs seven miles every morning.
D. Although Mr. Brown is not old, he jogs seven miles every morning.
15. Although he has a good job, he isn’t happy in his job.
A. In spite of having a good job, he isn’t happy in his job.
B. Despite the fact having a good job, he isn’t happy in his job.
C. He isn’t happy in his job because he doesn’t have a good job.
D. He isn’t happy in his job in spite of he doesn’t have a good job.