Prepositions and Conjunctions — according to, because of, besides, despite, instead of, unless

🎯 Lesson Goal:

Learn to use key prepositions and conjunctions to connect ideas, show contrast, reason, and conditions naturally in speech and writing.

1. Warm-Up (3 min)

🗣️ Discuss:

1. What do you usually do when you can’t go out because of bad weather?

2. Do you usually agree with people’s opinions, or do you prefer to think for yourself?

3. Have you ever done something instead of what you were supposed to do?

💬 Sample answers:

I stayed at home because of the rain.
According to my teacher, practice is the key to improvement.
I watched a film instead of studying.

🎯 Focus:
We use these expressions to connect ideas — they make our speech clearer and more advanced.

2. Presentation (8 min)

A. according to (preposition)

→ Used to show someone else’s opinion, statement, or information.

According to my friends, this restaurant is great.
According to the news, it will rain tomorrow.

🧠 Tip: Don’t say “According to me.” (We don’t use it for our own opinions.)

B. because of (preposition)

→ Gives the reason or cause for something.

The match was cancelled because of the storm.
She’s tired because of the late flight.

🧠 Difference:

• Because → followed by a clause: Because it rained.

• Because of → followed by a noun/phrase: Because of the rain.

C. besides (preposition or linking word)

→ Means “in addition to” or “apart from.”

Besides English, I speak French and Italian.
I don’t feel like going out. Besides, it’s too cold.

🧠 As a connector: Adds extra information or another reason.

D. despite (preposition)

→ Used to show contrast (similar to “although”).

Despite the rain, we went out.
She passed the test despite her illness.

🧠 Structure:

• despite + noun / -ing form / the fact that + clause

  Despite being tired, he kept working.
  Despite the fact that he was tired, he kept working.

E. instead of (preposition)

→ Means “in place of” or “as an alternative to.”

We had pizza instead of cooking dinner.
I called him instead of sending an email.

🧠 Structure:
instead of + noun / pronoun / -ing form

F. unless (conjunction)

→ Means “if not.” It introduces a condition.

I won’t go unless you come with me. (= if you don’t come)
You can’t enter unless you have a ticket.

🧠 Structure:
main clause + unless + condition
Never use “not” after unless.
❌ I won’t go unless you don’t come. → ✅ I won’t go unless you come.

3. Controlled Practice (5 min)

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. _______ the forecast, it’s going to snow tomorrow.
   (a) Because of (b) According to (c) Unless

2. We stayed at home _______ the heavy rain.
   (a) despite (b) because of (c) instead of

3. _______ feeling nervous, she gave an amazing presentation.
   (a) Unless (b) Instead of (c) Despite

4. I’ll go jogging tomorrow _______ it rains.
   (a) unless (b) because of (c) despite

5. _______ studying for my exam, I went out with my friends.
   (a) Instead of (b) Besides (c) Because of

6. _______ English, he also speaks Spanish and Italian.
   (a) Besides (b) Unless (c) Despite

✅ Answers + Explanations

1. (b) According to – It reports information (the forecast says so).

2. (b) Because of – It introduces the reason (the heavy rain).

3. (c) Despite – Shows contrast (she was nervous but still did well).

4. (a) Unless – Means “if not” (I’ll go jogging if it doesn’t rain).

5. (a) Instead of – Replaces one activity with another (went out instead of studying).

6. (a) Besides – Adds extra information (he speaks more languages).

4. Transformation Practice (5 min)

Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

1. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
   → We went for a walk _______ the rain. (despite)

2. If you don’t finish your homework, you can’t watch TV.
   → You can’t watch TV _______ you finish your homework. (unless)

3. We couldn’t go swimming because it was too cold.
   → We couldn’t go swimming _______ the cold weather. (because of)

4. I went to the cinema. I didn’t go to the gym.
   → I went to the cinema _______ going to the gym. (instead of)

5. I read that this place is haunted. (according to)
   → _______ the article, this place is haunted.

6. I play the guitar. I also play the drums.
   → _______ playing the guitar, I also play the drums. (besides)

✅ Sample Answers

1. We went for a walk despite the rain.

2. You can’t watch TV unless you finish your homework.

3. We couldn’t go swimming because of the cold weather.

4. I went to the cinema instead of going to the gym.

5. According to the article, this place is haunted.

6. Besides playing the guitar, I also play the drums.

💡 Notice how each word connects or contrasts ideas smoothly.

5. Engaging Discussion (5 min)

🗣️ Answer these questions naturally using the target expressions.

1. According to your friends, what kind of person are you?

2. What do you usually do because of stress or tiredness?

3. What do you do instead of watching TV?

4. Have you ever done something fun despite feeling bad?

5. What’s something you won’t do unless someone goes with you?

💬 Sample answers:

According to my friends, I’m quite patient.
I go for a walk instead of scrolling on my phone.
I went out despite being tired.

6. Extra Discussion (4–5 min)

💬 Deeper questions:

1. Why is it important to use connectors like despite or because of when speaking English?

2. Do you think you use too many simple connectors like “and” or “but”?

3. How can words like besides or instead of make your writing sound more advanced?

4. What are some situations in life where “unless” is useful (rules, warnings, advice)?

🎯 Goal: Practise using each connector in natural, opinion-based conversation.

7. Wrap-Up & Review (2 min)

🧾 Quick Recap

• According to → someone else’s opinion or information

  According to my teacher, it’s important to review daily.

• Because of → gives the reason (followed by a noun)

  I stayed home because of the storm.

• Besides → adds extra information

  Besides English, I speak Italian.

• Despite → contrast (similar to although)

  Despite being tired, I went out.

• Instead of → replacement or alternative

  I had coffee instead of tea.

• Unless → means “if not”

  You won’t pass unless you study.

🎯 Mini Challenge:
Make six sentences about your week — each with one of today’s expressions!

Despite the rain, I went jogging.
According to my phone, I walked 8,000 steps.
I watched a film instead of working.