🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Differentiate between linkers for reason (e.g., because, due to) and purpose (e.g., to, so that)
  • Select the correct linking word based on the grammatical structure that follows it
  • Justify a professional decision by clearly explaining the reason behind it
  • Explain the purpose of an action in both workplace and everyday conversations

📚 Grammar & Skill Explanation

In business and daily life, you constantly need to explain why. Linking words for reason and purpose help you connect your ideas logically, making your arguments stronger and your explanations clearer.

Form / Structure

1. Explaining a REASON (Why something happened)

  • because / as / since + clause (subject + verb)
    Example: "We postponed the meeting because the client was sick."
    Example: "As the figures were positive, we decided to invest more." (As and since are often used at the start of a sentence)
  • because of / due to + noun or noun phrase
    Example: "We postponed the meeting because of the client's sickness."
    Example: "The delay was due to a technical issue."

2. Explaining a PURPOSE (The goal of an action)

  • to / in order to + infinitive verb
    Example: "I called the client to confirm the details."
    Example: "We updated the software in order to improve security." (in order to is slightly more formal)
  • so that + clause (subject + modal verb like can, will, could)
    Example: "I sent the invoice early so that they could process it this week."
Key Learning Tip: Remember this simple difference: Reason is about the cause of a situation. Purpose is about the goal of an action. Ask yourself: am I explaining why something happened (reason) or why someone did something (purpose)?

🌍 Context & Real-World Usage

🏢 Professional Context

Clearly explaining reasons and purpose is essential for effective workplace communication.

Justifying Decisions: "We chose this supplier because their prices are more competitive."
Explaining Processes: "You need to complete this form so that HR can update your details."
Setting Goals: "We are holding a training session to improve the team's presentation skills."
Reporting Issues: "The launch was delayed due to an unexpected bug in the software."
🏙️ Everyday Context

Use these linkers to make your daily explanations clear and logical.

Making Plans: "Let's leave early so that we can avoid the traffic."
Explaining Actions: "I went to the post office to send a package."
Giving Excuses: "I couldn't join the call because of a poor internet connection."

🔍 Examples & Analysis

✅ Correct Professional & Daily Usage

  • Workplace (Reason): "We hired two new interns because our team needed more support." (because is followed by a full clause explaining the reason)
  • Workplace (Reason): "The flight was cancelled due to the bad weather." (due to is followed by a noun phrase)
  • Workplace (Purpose): "She is taking a course in order to get a promotion." (in order to is followed by an infinitive verb)
  • Workplace (Purpose): "Please mute your microphone so that everyone can hear the speaker clearly." (so that is followed by a clause)
  • Everyday (Reason): "I didn't go out as I had too much work to do." (as introduces the reason with a full clause)
  • Everyday (Purpose): "He's saving money to buy a new car." (to is followed by an infinitive verb)

❌ Common Business Mistakes

  • Mistake: "The project was successful because of we worked hard." ❌
    Correction: "The project was successful because we worked hard." ✓
    Explanation: After "we worked hard" (a subject + verb clause), you must use because, not because of.
  • Mistake: "I'm calling for to ask about the delivery." ❌
    Correction: "I'm calling to ask about the delivery." ✓
    Explanation: To express purpose, use to + infinitive. For to is incorrect.
  • Mistake: "We changed the deadline so that to give the team more time." ❌
    Correction: "We changed the deadline so that the team would have more time." OR "...to give the team more time." ✓
    Explanation: so that must be followed by a clause (subject + verb), not an infinitive.

🎧 Listening Exercise

Project Timeline Update
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Listening Questions

1. Why was the client demonstration postponed?
2. What caused the delay in receiving the data?
3. What is the main purpose of adding an extra week to the schedule?
4. Gap Fill: Liam needs to focus on the new data ______ see how it impacts the financial projections.

🧠 Interactive Quiz

Choose the best answer for each question about linking words for reasons and purpose.
1. "The company is investing in new technology _____ improve efficiency."
2. "Our flight was delayed _____ a storm."
3. "I've scheduled a meeting _____ we can discuss the quarterly budget."
4. "We had to change our marketing strategy _____ our main competitor lowered their prices."

🧩 Exercise 1: Error Correction

Find and correct the one mistake in each sentence.

Context: Tech Company

1. The app is free for to attract more users.
2. We paused the ad campaign because of the results were poor.
3. The server is down due to there is a power cut.
4. I've sent you the file so that to check the details.

✅ Exercise 2: Word Order/Sentence Building

Put the words in the correct order to make a logical sentence.

Context: Corporate Office

1. we can / finish early / let's start now / so that / .
2. was cancelled / the bad connection / the online meeting / because of / .
3. to discuss / I arranged a meeting / the new project / .

🛠️ Exercise 3: Matching Exercise

Match the action (1–4) with the correct reason or purpose (a–d).

Context: Marketing Agency

Actions:

  • 1. We are conducting a client survey
  • 2. The presentation was postponed
  • 3. We hired a new graphic designer
  • 4. Let's schedule a call for tomorrow

Reasons/Purposes:

  • a. ...because the project manager was ill.
  • b. ...so that we can make a final decision.
  • c. ...to get feedback on our services.
  • d. ...because we needed help with visual content.
1. We are conducting a client survey ______
2. The presentation was postponed ______
3. We hired a new graphic designer ______
4. Let's schedule a call for tomorrow ______

💬 Exercise 4: True/False Grammar Check

Is the use of the bold linker grammatically correct?
1. He worked overtime so that to finish the report.
2. I couldn't attend the workshop due to I was sick.
3. She is learning Spanish because her company has an office in Madrid.
4. The company gave everyone a bonus because of its excellent annual performance.

🗣️ Speaking Practice – Preparation for Class

⚠️ Preparation for Class Only
Prepare these prompts so you can practise with your teacher.
Task 1: Controlled Practice
2 minutes

Finish these sentences:

  • Work: "Our team had a celebration because..."
  • Daily: "I need to go to the bank to..."
  • Work: "We must improve our customer service so that..."
Task 2: Guided Practice
3 minutes

Think of a recent decision you made at work or at home. Explain the decision and the reason for it. Start with "I decided to..."

Example: "I decided to start my workday earlier this week because I have an important deadline to meet."

Task 3: Free Practice
5 minutes

Choose one scenario and discuss:

  • Introducing a New Policy: Your company is introducing a "work from home" policy two days a week. Why? What does the company hope to achieve?
  • Planning an Event: You are planning a team-building event. Why did you choose a specific activity? What is the goal?

📋 Summary & Study Tips

Key Takeaways

  • Use because, as, since (+ clause) or due to, because of (+ noun) to explain a reason
  • Use to, in order to (+ infinitive) or so that (+ clause) to explain a purpose
  • Choosing the correct linker makes your professional communication more logical and persuasive

Professional Study Tips

  • Justify Your Emails: Add a short phrase to explain purpose. Instead of "Please review this document," write "Please review this document so that we can finalize the plan today."
  • Analyze Presentations: When you watch a presentation or TED Talk, listen for how the speaker explains why. Note the linking words they use.
  • 'The Why' Technique: Before starting a task, ask "Why am I doing this?" Answer in a full sentence using a purpose linker.