The same idea can be expressed in several different ways. You will realize this when you take a look at the sentences given below.

Jane was unhappy because she had lost her job.

As Jane had lost her job she was unhappy.

Jane had lost her job and that made her unhappy.

As you can see, all of these sentences express the same idea.

A good understanding of the different sentence patterns is essential to express ideas in different ways.

This page will help you learn to recognize the different sentence patterns in English and use them to express similar idea in different ways.

Showing Contrast

Chief conjunctions used to express contrast are although, though, however, but, and in spite of.

James decided to quit smoking but it was not an easy decision.

Though it was not an easy decision, James decided to quit smoking.

James decided to quit smoking. However, it was not an easy decision.

In spite of it not being an easy decision, James decided to quit smoking.

Showing Cause and Effect

The chief conjunctions used to express cause and effect are: so, therefore and because.

Study the following sentences.

Susie wanted to win the first prize so she worked hard.

Because Susie wanted to win the first prize, she worked hard.

Susie wanted to win the first prize. Therefore she worked hard.

Stating a Condition

You can state a condition using several different conjunctions. Common examples of conjunctions used for this purpose are: or, unless, if and otherwise.

Study the following examples.

You must work hard, or you won’t win.

If you don’t work hard, you won’t win.

Unless you work hard, you won’t win.

You must work hard. Otherwise, you won’t win.