6. Preposition, Conjunction and Interjection

Chapter focus: preposition patterns, clause connectors, punctuation, and register.

How to study this lesson

Read the explanation first, then say the examples aloud. Change one detail in each example, such as the subject, time, or place. Complete the practice without looking back and use the answer key to understand the reason for each answer. Finish by writing two sentences about your own life or city.

A preposition introduces a noun phrase and shows a relationship. Common relationships include place (in a city, on the table, at school), time (in 2026, on Monday, at 9 a.m.), direction (to the station, from home), and cause or method (because of rain, by train).

Preposition patterns

Use interested in, responsible for, depend on, similar to, different from, and increase in. Learn the whole phrase rather than translating each preposition from your first language. A preposition is followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form: interested in learning.

Use during + noun: during the lesson. Use while + clause: while the lesson was taking place. Use despite/in spite of + noun or -ing: despite the cost and despite being expensive. Use although/even though + clause: Although it was expensive, it was adopted.

A coordinating conjunction joins equal elements: and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor. A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause: because, although, if, when, whereas, while, unless. A correlative conjunction works as a pair: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also.

Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause: Although the sample was small, the result was useful. When the independent clause comes first, a comma is often unnecessary: The result was useful although the sample was small. Do not join two complete sentences with only a comma. Use a full stop, semicolon, or a conjunction.

Interjections such as Oh! and Wow! are common in informal speech but rarely belong in IELTS Writing. In Speaking, natural reactions are acceptable, but do not rely on fillers such as you know to replace ideas.

Practice

Correct the choices: (a) Despite of the rain, the event continued. (b) Although the method was cheap. It was unreliable. (c) The scheme reduced waste, it also created jobs.

Answers: (a) Despite the rain or In spite of the rain; (b) Although the method was cheap, it was unreliable; (c) The scheme reduced waste and also created jobs or The scheme reduced waste; it also created jobs.

IELTS transfer task

Write a short four-sentence response about an IELTS topic such as education, health, transport, technology, or the environment. Use at least two examples of the target grammar from this chapter. Underline those examples, then check that every sentence has a clear subject, a correct verb, and a meaning that is easy to understand.

Deep lesson: small words create exact relationships

A preposition shows a relationship such as place, time, direction, cause, or method. A conjunction connects words or clauses. An interjection expresses a short reaction. These words are small, but they often carry the logic of the sentence.

Preposition patterns to learn as chunks

Say interested in, responsible for, depend on, similar to, different from, access to, increase in, impact on, and reason for. After a preposition, use a noun, pronoun, or -ing form: by reducing waste, not by reduce waste.

Twelve examples

1. The course starts at 9 a.m.
2. It begins on Monday.
3. It was introduced in 2026.
4. The student travelled from Dhaka to London.
5. The result depends on sample size.
6. The policy is similar to the previous one.
7. The increase in prices affected families.
8. The impact on health was considerable.
9. Because the fee increased, demand fell.
10. Because of the increased fee, demand fell.
11. Although it was costly, the plan worked.
12. Despite the cost, the plan worked.

Connector grammar

A coordinating conjunction joins equal parts: and, but, or, so, yet. A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause: although, because, if, when, while, whereas. Although + clause contrasts with despite + noun/-ing. Do not write Although the cost was high, but it worked.

Bengali-speaker errors

Wrong: discuss about the issue. Right: discuss the issue; discuss already contains the relationship. Wrong: married with a doctor. Right: married to a doctor. Wrong: despite of the rain. Right: despite the rain or in spite of the rain.

Interjections and register

Oh, Wow, and Well are possible in conversation, but formal Writing should use precise sentences instead. In Speaking, a natural Well, I think… is acceptable, but do not use fillers to hide a lack of ideas.

Practice

A. Join: The sample was small. The result was useful. Answer: Although the sample was small, the result was useful.

B. Rewrite with a noun phrase: Because the city introduced a fee, traffic decreased. Answer: Because of the fee introduced by the city, traffic decreased.

C. IELTS task: Write one cause sentence with because, one cause sentence with because of, one contrast sentence with although, and one with despite.

Professor's explanation: how to think about this grammar

Do not begin by memorising a definition. Begin by asking three questions: What job does this form do? What meaning does it add? Where does it go in the sentence? Bengali and English often arrange information differently, so direct translation can create mistakes. Build the English pattern first, then attach your idea to it.

Bengali learner warning

Many Bengali speakers understand the meaning of an English sentence but omit a small grammar word because Bengali does not always need the same word. English normally needs a clear subject and a finite verb. For example, say The number of students is increasing, not Number of students increasing. Treat articles, auxiliary verbs, plural endings, and prepositions as part of the pattern, not as optional decoration.

Three-step study method

Step 1 — Notice: underline the target form in every example. Step 2 — Control: replace only one part of the example, such as the subject or time. Step 3 — Communicate: use the form in a short answer about education, health, transport, technology, or the environment. If you cannot explain why you chose the form, return to Step 1.

Practice ladder

Level 1: Recognition. Find the target form and name its job. Level 2: Controlled production. Complete or correct a sentence using the pattern. Level 3: IELTS production. Write a short paragraph or speak for one minute. At Level 3, clarity is more important than using many different forms.

Revision checklist

Before moving on, ask: Can I explain the form in one simple sentence? Can I make a positive, negative, and question form where relevant? Can I use it with a past and a present example? Can I recognise the most common Bengali-speaker error? Can I use it naturally in one IELTS answer?