Fill in the blanks with an appropriate conjunction, preposition or transitional adverb.
1. He had an accident ………………….. his carelessness.
Because is a conjunction. It is followed by a clause. Because of is a preposition. It is followed by a noun or ing form.
2. …………………. he was driving carelessly, he met with an accident.
Because is followed by a clause.
3. …………………… having the required qualifications, she didn’t get the job.
It should be despite or in spite of.
4. We went out …………………. the rain.
Despite is followed by a noun.
5. ………………….. bad weather, the match was cancelled.
Owing to and because of have similar meanings and are usually interchangeable.
6. We cancelled the outing ………………….. it was awfully cold.
Use because to show the reason. Because is followed by a clause.
7. She has lost her appetite ………………….. her illness.
Because of is followed by a noun.
8. Clever ………………….. he was, he could not solve the puzzle.
Either as or though is possible here. Clever though he was means the same as Though he was clever. Clever as he was also means the same.
9. The weather was bad; ……………………., we went out.
10. He received prompt medical care; ……………………, he didn’t survive.
However is similar to nevertheless.
11. ………………… receiving prompt medical care, the patient died.
Despite is a preposition. It is followed by a noun or ing form.
12. ……………………. the chairman was ill, the meeting was cancelled.
As shows the reason. It is a conjunction. It is followed by a clause.
Answers
1. He had an accident because of his carelessness.
2. Because he was driving carelessly, he met with an accident.
3. In spite of having the required qualifications, she didn’t get the job.
4. We went out despite the rain.
5. Owing to bad weather, the match was cancelled.
6. We cancelled the outing because it was awfully cold.
7. She has lost her appetite because of her illness.
8. Clever though/as he was, he could not solve the puzzle.
9. The weather was bad; nonetheless, we went out.
10. He received prompt medical care; however, he didn’t survive.
11. Despite receiving prompt medical care, the patient died.
12. As the chairman was ill, the meeting was cancelled.
