Use conjunctions in oral and written contexts (target: yet, despite, in spite of, so... that)

Using Conjunctions to Show Contrast and Result

Conjunctions are words that join two ideas in one sentence. In English, we use special conjunctions to show contrast (unexpected information) and result (what happens because of something). The target conjunctions are: yet, despite, in spite of, and so... that.

---

1. Using "Yet"

We use yet to show contrast between two ideas. It means "but" or "nevertheless."

Structure: Subject + verb + yet + subject + verb.

Examples:

• The weather is hot, yet she wears a sweater.
• He studied hard, yet he failed the exam.
• The bus was full, yet they got on anyway.

---

2. Using "Despite" and "In Spite Of"

Both despite and in spite of show contrast. They are followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

Structure: Despite / In spite of + noun/gerund + main clause.

Examples:

• Despite the rain, we played football.
• In spite of being tired, Mary cleaned the house.
• Despite his age, Grandpa still works in the farm.

Note: Despite and in spite of have the same meaning. Choose either one.

---

3. Using "So... That"

We use so... that to show a result. So is followed by an adjective or adverb, and that introduces the result.

Structure: So + adjective/adverb + that + result clause.

Examples:

• The mangoes were so sweet that we bought more.
• She was so happy that she danced.
• The music was so loud that everyone covered their ears.

---

Summary of Conjunction Use

Conjunction	Meaning	What follows
Yet	contrast (but)	a clause
Despite / In spite of	contrast (but)	noun or -ing form
So... that	result (because)	adjective + that + result

---

Practice: Join These Sentences

Join each pair of sentences using the conjunction in brackets.

1. The road is long. We arrived on time. (yet) Answer: The road is long, yet we arrived on time.

2. I like chapati. I did not eat it today. (despite) Answer: Despite liking chapati, I did not eat it today.

3. The fish was expensive. Many people bought it. (so... that) Answer: The fish was so expensive that many people could not buy it.

---

Real-life application

In Tanzania, you will use these conjunctions when writing letters, telling stories, or speaking with others. For example, when explaining why you could not attend a * chama* meeting, you might say: "I wanted to attend the meeting, yet I had to take my younger brother to the clinic." Or when describing why you could not buy school supplies, you might write: "The exercise books were so expensive that I could only buy two." These conjunctions help you express reasons and results clearly in everyday communication.