The rule, as people use it

Some joining words turn one sentence into the background for another. "Because" gives the reason. "Although" and "even though" admit something that doesn't stop you. "When", "while", "before", "after", "until" and "as soon as" set the time. "If" and "unless" set the condition. "I'm staying in because it's raining." "Although it's raining, I'm going for a run."

The joining word and its part can go first or second. "When I got home, I called her" and "I called her when I got home" say the same thing. When the joining part goes first, you pause after it, and in writing you add a comma.

Three slips show up again and again. First, "although ... but". In some languages you need both words; in English one is enough. Say "Although it was late, we kept talking" or "It was late, but we kept talking", never both.

Second, the future after time words. After when, if, before, after, until and as soon as, English uses the present even when you mean the future. "I'll call you when I arrive", never "when I will arrive". The "will" goes in the other half.

Third, "because" versus "because of". "Because" comes before a full sentence: "because the train was late". "Because of" comes before a noun: "because of the traffic".

Examples

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Fill the gap

Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.

  1. 1

    I'll call you when I (get) to the airport.

  2. 2

    We stayed inside (because / because of) the heat.

  3. 3

    (Although / Because) the food was cold, we ate it all.

  4. 4

    Fatima left early (because / although) she felt sick.

  5. 5

    Please wait here (until / unless) the doctor calls your name.

  6. 6

    If it (rain) tomorrow, we'll stay home.

  7. 7

    George reads the news (while / unless) he eats breakfast.

  8. 8

    You won't get a seat (if / unless) you book early.

Practice · 3 min

Write six sentences about your plans and habits: one with because, one with because of, one with although or even though, one with when about the future, one with if, and one with until. Say each out loud. Then check two things: no sentence has both "although" and "but", and no "will" comes right after when, if or until.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.