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.
Despite feeling jealous, she tried to hide her feelings.
Despite her jealousy, she tried to hide her feelings.
She tried to hide her feelings in spite of she felt jealous.
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.