Clauses of cause, result, and comparison
Clauses of cause are used to show why something happens. These clauses begin with conjunctions like ‘because’, ‘since’, and ‘as’:
- I listen to classical music because it sounds beautiful.
- Since you’re so kind to me, I will help you.
- As it was so sunny, he walked to the park.
Note: ‘because’ is more common in informal conversation than ‘since’ or ‘as.’ |
Clauses of result tell us about consequences. They often begin with ‘so…that’, and ‘such…that’.
We usually put an adjective between ‘so’ and ‘that.’ We can put an adjective and a noun (or just a noun) between ‘such’ and ‘that’:
- I was so tired that I couldn’t stay awake.
- The meal was so delicious that made it again the next day.
- Uma is such a good runner that nobody can catch her.
Clauses of comparison are used to compare two things or ideas. They often begin with ‘than’ or ‘as…as’:
- My brother is older than my sister.
- She is as beautiful as her mother.
- I am stronger than I look.
- That restaurant is not as good as it used to be.
Note: We can use ‘than‘ to introduce a clause after a comparative adjective, adverb or noun phrase. The clause is usually reduced or one with a substitute verb ‘do‘:
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Note: We can use a that-clause after a superlative (‘that’ can be omitted):
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