Avoiding mixed constructions with although or because

A word group that begins with although cannot be linked to a word group that begins with but or however. The result is an error called mixed construction. Similarly, a word group that begins with because cannot be linked to a word group that begins with so or therefore.

If you want to keep although or because, drop the other linking word.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Although the sales figures look impressive, but the company is losing money. Revised sentence: Although the sales figures look impressive, the company is losing money. Explanation: The word “but” has been deleted.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Because finance laws are not always enforced, therefore investing in the former Soviet Union can be very risky. Revised sentence: Because finance laws are not always enforced, investing in the former Soviet Union can be very risky. Explanation: The word “therefore” has been deleted.

If you want to keep the other linking word, omit although or because.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Although the sales figures look impressive, but the company is losing money. Revised sentence: The sales figures look impressive, but the company is losing money. Explanation: The word “Although” has been deleted at the beginning of the sentence.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Because finance laws are not always enforced, therefore investing in the former Soviet Union can be very risky. Revised sentence: Finance laws are not always enforced; therefore, investing in the former Soviet Union can be very risky. Explanation: The word “Because” has been deleted. A semicolon has been added at the end of the first independent clause (“Finance laws are now always enforced”). A comma has been added after “therefore” at the beginning of the second independent clause.

Exercises:

Sentence structure 1

Sentence structure 2

Related topic:

Mixed constructions