AULAFYCurso abierto de inglés C1
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Ocean Health & Marine ConservationL02
grammar

Grammar Focus

Detailed explanation, examples and controlled practice for the unit grammar point.

60 minC1c1grammarocean-health-marine-conservationprepositionsc1 grammarmarine conservationin spite of

Lesson objectives

  • Recognise and control Complex prepositions (in spite of, with regard to, on account of).
  • Notice common errors Spanish-speaking learners make at advanced level.
  • Apply the structure in exam-style sentences related to ocean health & marine conservation.

Explicación (en español)

En el nivel C1 Advanced, el uso de preposiciones complejas (o frases preposicionales) es fundamental para lograr la cohesión y la sofisticación necesaria. Estas estructuras permiten conectar ideas de manera más fluida que las preposiciones simples. En esta unidad, nos enfocaremos en tres tipos: de contraste (in spite of), de referencia (with regard to) y de causa (on account of).

Un error muy común entre los hispanohablantes es intentar usar una cláusula completa (sujeto + verbo) inmediatamente después de estas preposiciones. En inglés, las preposiciones siempre deben ir seguidas de un sustantivo (noun), un pronombre (pronoun) o un gerundio (-ing form). Por ejemplo, no podemos decir "in spite of the ocean is polluted"; lo correcto es "in spite of the ocean being polluted" o "in spite of the ocean pollution".

In spite of se traduce como "a pesar de". With regard to equivale a "con respecto a" o "en cuanto a", y se usa para introducir un tema específico. Finalmente, on account of es una alternativa más formal a because of, significando "debido a" o "a causa de".

Es vital recordar que si queremos usar una frase completa con sujeto y verbo después de estas expresiones, debemos añadir la estructura "the fact that". Por ejemplo: "In spite of the fact that the coral reefs are dying..." Esto permite mantener la estructura gramatical correcta mientras se introduce una idea compleja.

Form — estructura

Prepositional Phrase Function Followed by... Spanish Equivalent
In spite of Contrast Noun / Pronoun / -ing A pesar de
With regard to Topic/Reference Noun / Pronoun Con respecto a / En cuanto a
On account of Reason/Cause Noun / Pronoun / -ing Debido a / A causa de

Examples

  1. In spite of the rising sea temperatures, some coral colonies are showing resilience. (A pesar del aumento de las temperaturas marinas, algunas colonias de coral están mostrando resiliencia.)
  2. The marine sanctuary was established on account of the declining whale populations. (El santuario marino fue establecido debido a la disminución de las poblaciones de ballenas.)
  3. With regard to plastic pollution, new international treaties are being drafted. (Con respecto a la contaminación por plástico, se están redactando nuevos tratados internacionales.)
  4. In spite of facing heavy currents, the research vessel reached the trench. (A pesar de enfrentarse a fuertes corrientes, el buque de investigación llegó a la fosa.)
  5. On account of the oil spill, the local coastline remains closed to the public. (A causa del derrame de petróleo, la costa local permanece cerrada al público.)
  6. We need more funding with regard to deep-sea exploration projects. (Necesitamos más financiación en cuanto a los proyectos de exploración de aguas profundas.)
  7. In spite of being a protected area, the seabed is still threatened by illegal fishing. (A pesar de ser un área protegida, el lecho marino sigue amenazado por la pesca ilegal.)
  8. On account of global warming, many coastal cities are at risk of flooding. (Debido al calentamiento global, muchas ciudades costeras están en riesgo de inundación.)

Contrast

  1. ✗ In spite of the ocean was polluted, they continued fishing. / ✓ In spite of the ocean being polluted, they continued fishing. (Error: uso de cláusula con sujeto + verbo tras preposición).
  2. ✗ With regard to the issue, we must act. / ✓ With regard to this issue, we must act. (Error: falta de un sustantivo o determinante tras la frase preposicional).
  3. ✗ On account of because of the storm, the boats stayed in port. / ✓ On account of the storm, the boats stayed in port. (Error: redundancia de dos conectores de causa).
  4. ✗ In spite of the fact of the rain, we went diving. / ✓ In spite of the rain, we went diving. (Error: estructura innecesariamente compleja; se puede usar directamente el sustantivo).

Mini-quiz — 10 preguntas

Part 1: Fill in the blanks with in spite of, with regard to, or on account of.

  1. ____ the increasing amount of microplastics, many seafood products are still considered safe.
  2. The expedition was cancelled ____ the unpredictable weather conditions at sea.
  3. ____ the new regulations, illegal trawling continues in some protected zones.
  4. The government has issued a statement ____ the recent disappearance of the endangered species.

Part 2: Multiple Choice

  1. ____ the fact that the ecosystem is fragile, tourism remains high. a) On account of b) In spite of c) With regard to

  2. The decline in fish stocks is largely ____ overfishing. a) in spite of b) with regard to c) on account of

  3. ____ marine conservation, we must focus on reducing carbon emissions. a) With regard to b) In spite of c) On account of

Part 3: Sentence Transformation (Complete the second sentence so it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word in bold).

  1. BECAUSE Although the sea level is rising, people still live on the coast. In spite of ________, people still live on the coast.

  2. REGARDING We need to discuss the protection of sharks. We need to have a discussion ________ the protection of sharks.

  3. DUE The beach was evacuated because of the sudden storm. The beach was evacuated ________ the sudden storm.

Respuestas: 1. In spite of 2. on account of 3. In spite of 4. with regard to 5. b 6. c 7. a 8. in spite of the rising sea level / in spite of the sea level rising 9. with regard to 10. on account of