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English grammar

Joining paragraphs, not just clauses

B2 · Upper intermediate Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

B1 joins clauses with however, therefore and despite. B2 marks the RELATION between whole stretches of text: In the first place … Secondly … Finally; That said and Having said that for a concession; In any case and At any rate to dismiss what went before; As far as X is concerned to change subject; Incidentally and By the way for an aside; In other words and That is to say to restate; Namely and In particular to specify. These are what make a long answer sound organised rather than merely long.

Pattern

That said / Having said that · In any case · As far as … is concerned · Incidentally · In other words · Namely · In particular · On the contrary

Examples

  1. The price is high. That said, nothing cheaper would last.

  2. In any case, the deadline has already passed.

  3. As far as the heating is concerned, nothing has changed.

  4. In other words, we are back where we started.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: In the contrary, the figures went up.

    Right: On the contrary, the figures went up.

    The phrase is on the contrary.

  • Wrong: As far as concerned the heating, nothing changed.

    Right: As far as the heating is concerned, nothing changed.

    The subject sits inside the frame.

  • Wrong: However, that the price is high, it will last.

    Right: The price is high. However, it will last.

    however is not a conjunction; it joins sentences, not clauses.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. That said, the service has improved since March.
    2. Said that, the service has improved since March.
    3. That is said, the service has improved since March.
    4. That saying, the service has improved since March.
    Show answer

    Answer: A That said, the service has improved since March.

    That said is the fixed concession.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. In the contrary, nobody complained at all.
    2. On the contrary, nobody complained at all.
    3. By the contrary, nobody complained.
    4. To the contrary of, nobody complained.
    Show answer

    Answer: B On the contrary, nobody complained at all.

    On the contrary contradicts what was said.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Incidentally, the licence expires next month.
    2. Incidental, the licence expires next month.
    3. By incidental, the licence expires next month.
    4. Incidence, the licence expires next month.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Incidentally, the licence expires next month.

    Incidentally marks an aside.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    _____ , the decision cannot be appealed after the tenth.

    1. At any case
    2. In any case
    3. In any cases
    4. On any case
    Show answer

    Answer: B In any case , the decision cannot be appealed after the tenth.

    In any case dismisses what came before.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    _____ , we have two options and one deadline.

    1. For sum up
    2. To summing up
    3. To sum up
    4. In sum up
    Show answer

    Answer: C To sum up , we have two options and one deadline.

    To sum up closes a stretch of text.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Two members objected, _____ the treasurer and the chair.

    1. namely of
    2. name
    3. named
    4. namely
    Show answer

    Answer: D Two members objected, namely the treasurer and the chair.

    namely specifies who.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    _____ , the second option costs less over five years.

    1. At fact
    2. On fact
    3. In the fact
    4. In fact
    Show answer

    Answer: D In fact , the second option costs less over five years.

    In fact corrects or strengthens.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    _____ the noise, we have had no complaints at all.

    1. Apart from
    2. Beside from
    3. Apart to
    4. Apart of
    Show answer

    Answer: A Apart from the noise, we have had no complaints at all.

    Apart from marks the single exception.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. The delay aside, the work was good.
    2. Despite of the delay, the work was good.
    3. Despite the delay, the work was good.
    4. In spite of the delay, the work was good.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Despite of the delay, the work was good.

    despite takes no of.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. The price is high, but it will last.
    2. Although the price is high, it will last.
    3. The price is high. However, it will last.
    4. However the price is high, it will last.
    Show answer

    Answer: D However the price is high, it will last.

    however cannot join two clauses directly.

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