Contrast: Although, even though, though These words express a relation of contrast between two clauses. Even though = a stronger although Though = an informal although Although and even though can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. Though can only be used in the middle.

I like Ann although she is silly.  I like Ann even though she is silly.  I like Ann though she is silly.  Although I was ill, I went to work.  Even though I was ill, I went to work.  Though I was ill, I went to work  Green = clause 1 Red = clause 2

Contrast: In spite of, despite In spite of and despite can’t be followed by clauses. They must be followed by:  A noun  An –ing verb  The fact that + a clause

 In spite of his age, he is very active  In spite of his age, he is very active.  In spite of being 85, he is very active.  In spite of the fact that he’s 85, he is very active.

Purpose: to, in order to, so as to Use these expressions to express the purpose for an action. In order to and so as to are more formal than to. They call for an infinitive verb.

I went to the bank to talk to the manager.  I went to the bank in order to talk to the manager.  I went to the bank so as to talk to the manager.  I drove slowly, not to slide in the slippery road.  I drove slowly, in order not to slide in the slippery road.  I drove slowly, so as not to slide in the slippery road.  not to is not possible to express a negative purpose.

Purpose: so that After so that, use subject + a modal verb (can, could, would...) I went to the bank so that I could talk to the manager.

Purpose: for For is followed by a noun or an –ing verb. I use this product for two purposes. This product is for cleaning metal and for brushing my teeth.