Fill in the blanks with an appropriate preposition, conjunction or transitional adverb.
1. They tried their best. …………….., they could not succeed.
However does not connect two sentences. It is a transitional adverb.
2. ……………….. working overtime, we could not finish the project on time.
Despite is followed by a noun or an ing form.
3. She succeeded …………………….. her teacher.
4. ………………. having a bad teacher, she succeeded.
5. ……………... she is ill, she is very cheerful.
Though is used to connect two clauses expressing contrasting ideas.
6. I had invited her ………………….. she did not come.
7. The injured man was taken to hospital; …………………….., doctors could not save him.
8. She didn’t get the job………………….. having the required skills.
9. She was more qualified than others; ………………….., she didn’t get the job.
10. He was sad ………………….. he failed his exam.
Because shows the reason.
11. …………………… your carelessness, we are in trouble now.
Because of is followed by a noun. Because is followed by a clause.
12. ………………… hard you may try, you will never succeed.
Answers
1. They tried their best. However, they could not succeed.
2. Despite working overtime, we could not finish the project on time.
3. She succeeded because of her teacher.
4. Despite / In spite of having a bad teacher, she succeeded.
5. Though she is ill, she is very cheerful.
6. I had invited her but she did not come.
7. The injured man was taken to hospital; however, doctors could not save him.
8. She didn’t get the job despite having the required skills.
9. She was more qualified than others; however, she didn’t get the job.
10. He was sad because he failed his exam.
11. Because of your carelessness, we are in trouble now.
12. However hard you may try, you will never succeed.
