Expressing Contrast Although, in spite of, but, however…

Expressing Contrast

Although, in spite of, but, however…

Connectors of contrast

Although / though / even though In spite of / despite However But Nevertheless Yet On the contrary Whereas / while


We use although or though or even though to connect contrasting ideas.

Used to introduce a dependent clause, which is joined to form a complex sentence.

Position: use a comma if the SC comes before the MC; do not use a comma if the SC comes after the MC.

Although the company’s sale increased last year, its net

profit declined.

The company’s net profit declined last year although its

sales increased.


Though/ although/ even though+ clause [subj + verb]= in spite of/ despite the fact that + clause [subj + verb]= in spite of/ despite + Noun phrase or V-ingExamples: Even though he is a millionaire, he is very mean. In spite of the fact that he is a millionaire, he is very mean. In spite of being a millionaire, he is very mean.


Although I hate computers, my teacher makes me use them.

Despite the fact that I hate computers, my teacher makes me use them.

Despite hating computers, my teacher makes me use them.


Although it was very cold, we went to the beach.

In spite of the fact that it was very cold, we went to the beach.

In spite of the cold weather, we went to the beach.

Use only a noun phrase Don’t use a complete sentence here


Exercises:1) There was a terrible traffic jam. However, he arrived on time

(Although …)2) He searched everywhere, but he couldn’t find the ticket

(Although...) 3) Despite the age of the house, we managed to sell it

(Although…) 4) Despite the doctor’s advice, he played football last week (Even

though…)5) Although he has an English name, he is in fact German

(Despite…)6) Although her friends advised her not to do it, she would not

listen (Despite…)


7) Although MN is very famous in Spain, she isn’t widely known abroad (In spite of…)

8) We lost the match although we were the better team (Despite…)

9) We all enjoyed the walk, even though it rained heavily (In spite of…)

10) The dog barked all night, but we still managed to sleep (Despite…)

11) He is extremely rich, but very mean (In spite of…)12) Mrs. Jones is 70, but she still goes for a run every

day (In spite of…)


Answer KEY1) There was a terrible traffic jam. He arrived on time (Although …) Although there was a terrible traffic jam, he arrived on time.2) He searched everywhere, but he couldn’t find the ticket (Although... Although he searched everywhere, he couldn’t find the ticket.3) Despite the age of the house, we managed to sell it (Although…) Although it was a very old house, we managed to sell it.4) Despite the doctor’s advice, he played football last week (Even though…) He played football last week even though the doctor advised him not to do

it.5) Although he has an English name, he is in fact German (Despite…) Despite having an English name/ his English name, he is in fact German.6) Although her friends advised her not to do it, she would not listen (Despite…) Despite her friends’ advice not to do it, she would not listen.


7) Although MN is very famous in Spain, she isn’t widely known abroad (In spite of…)

In spite of MN being very famous in Spain, she isn’t widely known abroad.

In spite of MN’s popularity in Spain, she isn’t widely known abroad.

8) We lost the match although we were the better team (Despite…) Despite being the better team, we lost the match.9) We all enjoyed the walk, even though it rained heavily (In spite of…) In spite of the heavy rain, we all enjoyed the walk.10) The dog barked all night, but we still managed to sleep (Despite…) Despite the dog’s barking all night, we still managed to sleep.11) He is extremely rich, but very mean (In spite of…) In spite of being extremely rich/ his big fortune, he’s very mean.12) Mrs. Jones is 70, but she still goes for a run every day (In spite of…) In spite of Mrs. Jones being 70, she still goes for a run every day.


BUT (pero, sino) HOWEVER (sin embargo) NEVERTHELESS (sin embargo, no obstante) YET (aún así)

Examples:

Katty couldnt cash her paycheck ... Katty no pudo cobrar el cheque de su sueldo ...

However, she managed to buy a new TV set. Sin embargo consiguió comprarse un televisor nuevo.

but she managed to buy a new TV set. Pero consiguió comprarse un televisor nuevo.

nevertheless, she managed to buy a new TV set. No obstante consiguió comprarse un televisor nuevo.

yet she managed to buy a new TV set. Aun así consiguió comprarse un televisor nuevo.


BUT (pero)o He spoke clearly, but I didn't understand him.

Habló claramente pero no lo entendí o She saw me, but she didn't recognize me.

Ella me vió pero no me reconoció. o I want to study art, but my parents want me to

become an engineer.o I have studied the textbook, but I am still

confused. (“I have studied” and “I am”)


HOWEVER ( sin embargo) They were not having fun; however they

stayed until the party was over.Ellos no se estaban divirtiendo; sin embargo se quedaron hasta que la fiesta terminó.

He doesn't study much; however he gets good grades at school.El no estudia mucho; sin embargo obtiene buenas notas en la escuela.

Always use “However,” at the start of a sentenceWrong: I don’t like to use

computers, however I have to use them for English class.

Correct: I don’t like to use computers. However, I have to use them for English class.

Wrong! Don’t use however after a

comma.

Two simple sentences, “however” as adverb in one

I have studied the textbook; however, I am still confused.

I am confused. I have, however, studied the textbook. “however” is an adverb two simple sentences the adverb is interrupting material that

requires a pair of commas


NEVERTHELESS ( sin embargo)

It was very stormy; nevertheless we went fishing.

Estaba muy tormentoso; sin embargo fuimos de pesca.

Don’t use nevertheless

after a comma.


YET - sin embargo

o He wanted to reply to that accusation, yet he didn't.El quería contestar a esa acusación; sin embargo no lo hizo.

o Thomas Edison dropped out of school at age 12, yet he became a famous inventor.

Thomas Edison abandonó los estudios a la edad de 12 años, sin embargo, se convirtió en un famoso inventor.


ON THE CONTRARY - por el contrario The boy is not dumb; on the contrary, he's

very smart for his age.El muchacho no es tonto; al contrario él es muy inteligente para su edad.

Condors are solitary birds. On the contrary, seagulls live in flocks.Los cóndores son aves solitarias. Por el contrario, las gaviotas viven en bandadas.


WHEREAS/ WHILE = but on the other hand

While and whereas are used to show direct contrast: "this" is exactly opposite of "that." While and whereas may be used with idea of either clause with no difference in meaning.Whereas mostly occurs in formal written English.Note: A comma is usually used even though the adverb clause comes second

EXAMPLES: I like to go swimming, whereas Sheila likes to sail.


One arrived promptly, whereas the others hung

back.

He is quite shy, whereas his sister is lively and talkative.

Mary is rich, whereas/ while John is poor.

John is poor, whereas/ while Mary is rich.


(A) CONCESSIONAlthoughThoughEven though

(B) ADVERSATIVEHoweverButNeverthelessYetOn the contraryWhereas / while


REPHRASING1) A lot of people prefer a PDA to a desk computer although

the screen size is very small.Even though...

2) She had very good qualifications.However, she wasn't offered very high wages Despite...

3) Internet is very popular. Nevertheless, a lot of people do not know how to use it. Even though...

4) Bob had a considerable amount of experience but the job went to a junior colleague.Although...

5) Bob did his best in the final examination although he was suffering from a heavy cold.Despite...


6) Her writing style is elegant but her power of description is limited. While...

7) He was much criticised but he kept on behaving the way he used to. Despite...8) The job market was difficult last summer. Nevertheless, Bill got a

job soon after graduation. Although...9) He made a positive impression during the interview, but he wasn't offered a permanent job. Even though...10) Studying on the Internet has a lot of advantages but it may not

always be as effective as face to face study. In spite...


1) A lot of people prefer a PDA to a desk computer although the screen size is very small. Even though...

Even though the screen size is very small, a lot of people prefer a PDA to a desk computer.

2) She had very good qualifications. However, she wasn't offered very high wages Despite...

Despite having very good qualifications, she wasn't offered very high wages.3) Internet is very popular. Nevertheless, a lot of people do not know how to use it.

Even though... Even though internet is very popular, a lot of people do not know how to use it.4) Bob had a considerable amount of experience but the job went to a junior colleague.

Although... Although Bob had a considerable amount of experience, the job went to a junior

colleague.5) Bob did his best in the final examination although he was suffering from a heavy

cold. Despite... Despite suffering from a heavy cold, Bob did his best in the final examination.


6) Her writing style is elegant but her power of description is limited. While... Her writing style is elegant while her power of description is limited.7) He was much criticised but he kept on behaving the way he used to. Despite... Despite being much criticised, he kept on behaving the way he used to.8) The job market was difficult last summer. Nevertheless Bill got a job soon after graduation. Although... Although the job market was difficult last summer, Bill got a job soon after

graduation.9) He made a positive impression during the interview, but he wasn't offered a permanent job. Even though... Even though he made a positive impression during tjhe interview, he wasn't offered a permanent job.10) Studying on the Internet has a lot of advantages but it may not always be as

effective as face to face study. In spite... In spite of its many advantages, studying on the Internet may not always be as

effective as face to face study.

Expressing Contrast Although, in spite of, but, however…

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