LECTIA 23

CONJUNCTIILE

Conjunctiile sau cuvintele de legatura se folosesc pentru a lega propozitii.

Aceasta lectie se ocupa de perechi de cuvinte de lagatura care ar putea provoca
anumite confuzii pentru cei care studiaza engleza. Pentru simplificare,
conjunctiile care urmeaza au fost grupate in categorii.

A. Conjunctii de timp.
1. as, when, while se folosesc cu referire la o actiune care se petrece in
acelasi timp cu o alta:
As I was looking out of the window, I saw him arriving.
When my alarm clock rings at 7 o’clock I get up.
While you were out shopping, Jonathan rang.

2. after, as soon as, before, when se folosesc cu referire la actiune care se

petrece imediat dupa o alta:
After I left university, I went to work abroad.
As soon as I heard him speak on TV, I changed the channel.
The client put the phone down before I could give an explanation.
When I finished typing those letters, I posted them.

3. until/till se refera la durata de timp a unei situatii:

I can’t go out until my mother comes back.
I can’t change my car till I have finished paying for it.

NOTA: Just poate fi folosit in fata acestor conjunctii pentru a sublinia apropierea
in timp a celor doua actiuni.
Just as he noticed he was being watched, he ran off.

B. Conjunctii contrastive.
1. although, even though, though se folosesc cu referire la afirmatii opuse
sau contrastante, inaintea subiectului sau verbului:
Although he is a good writer, he has never published a book.
Even though there’s a speed limit, he always exceeds it.
Though Matt studied hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.

NOTA: Though este o alternative mai putin formala pentru although si even
though, In engleza vorbita apare de obicei la sfarsitul propozitiei.
Matt studied hard. He didn’t manage to pass the exam though.

2. in spite of sau despite se folosesc cu referire la afirmatii opuse au

contrastatnte, in fata unui substantiv, pronume sau gerunziu:
In spite of the traffic, he still managed to get there in time.
Despite her poor eye-sight, she continued driving.
 NOTA: In spite of si despite pot fi folosite si cu the fact that.
In spite of the fact that he was busy, he took time off work.
Despite the fact that he had no past offences, he was found guilty.

3. while, whereas se folosesc cu referire la constrastul dintre doua afirmatii:

Brian eats a lot, while Henry hardly eats at all.
My old car was very slow, whereas my new one is much faster.

4. however se foloseste cu referire la contradictia dintre doua propozitii:

The secret agent was told to be at the meeting point at 6 o’clock
sharp. However, when he arrived, his contact wasn’t there.

C. Conjunctii de cauza si efect.

1. because, because of, as, since se folosesc cureferire la motivele pentru
a face o actiune:
The baby cried because it was hungry.
Dad is not going to work today because of the strike.
As it’s raining, you’d better take an umbrella.
Since the president is abroad, the vice-president will take his place
today at the presentation.

NOTA: Because, because of, as, since au acelasi sens dar folosesc
constructii diferite.
Because – se foloseste inainte de subiect si verb;
Because of – se foloseste inainte de substantiv.
As si since – se folosesc amandoua la inceputul propozitiei.

2. so, therefore se refera la rezultatul unei actiuni:

Joe has exams all next week, so he can’t go out in the evenings.
The Mayor has to attend an urgent meeting. Therefore he’ll have to
cancel the lunch engagement.

EXERCITII

1. Alegeti conjunctiile de timp corecte in propozitiile de mai jos.

1. As/Until I opened the door, she rushed to kiss me.

2. I phoned the police as soon as/before I heard the alarm.
3. As/Till I was shouting for George, he walked through the door.
4. I went to the shops while/when I finished my book.
5. When/While the baby cries, give him his milk.
6. She won’t believe it… after/until she has seen it with her own eyes.
7. Do you need anything after/before I go?
8. You won’t forget to feed the cat as soon as/while I’m on holiday, will you?
9. The Prime Minister will stay in office before/until he is voted out.
10. My father worked in factory when/till he retired.
2. Alegeti conjunctiile contrastive potrivite in propozitiile de mai jos.

1. My daughter is quiet, whereas/though my son is noisy.

2. Although/Despite he tried hard, he didn’t pass his driving test.
3. I did everything my boss asked me to do. Even though/However he still
didn’t give me a promotion.
4. In spite of/Even though the bad weather, he still went out for his daily
walk.
5. Harry visited the doctor although/whereas it wasn’t necessary.
6. The former Headmaster was strict, while/in spite of the new one is more
lenient.
7. Despite/Though the fact that she was a famous actress, no one
recognised her in the streets.
8. The old woman next-door is reputed to be unfriendly. While/However, she
always sends us a Christmas card.
9. Sam went swimming in the river, despite/although the danger warnings.
10. Although/In spite of the factory workers threatened to strike, the company
still introduced their new policy.

3. Alegeti conjunctiile de cauza di effect potrivite in propozitiile de mai jos.

1. I didn’t marry Helen because/because of she was already married.

2. I took a pain-killing tablet because of/as I had a headache.
3. Since/So I couldn’t afford to buy a new car, I bought a second-hand one.
4. The Government couldn’t raise VAT. Therefore/As they raised interest
rates.
5. The doctor wasn’t able to reach the patient in time because/because of he
was held up in traffic.
6. So/As I’ve hurt my elbow, I’m afraid I won’t be able to play basketball
tonight.
7. Mariah said she was on a diet, so/since she can’t eat those potatoes.
8. The victim’s defence was weak. Therefore/Because judge found him
guilty.
9. Because of/Since all the seats on the front row were taken, we decided to
sit in the stalls.
10. Mrs. Hughes was getting too old to drive, as/so she decided to hire a
chauffeur.