CONNECTING WORDS: CONTRAST

CONNECTING WORDS: CONTRAST (1)

• although to contrast two clauses in the same sentence; e.g. Mo still smokes,
although she knows she shouldn’t. (Mo still smokes contrasts with Mo knowing that
she shouldn’t smoke). Even though is similar in meaning to although but it is more
emphatic; e.g. I never bother to lock my car, even though I know I should. We can
also put “although” and “even though” at the beginning of sentences. Although/Even
though I never bother to lock my car, I know I should

• whereas to introduce a subordinate clause which you are comparing with what you
are saying in the main clause; e.g. They fell asleep whereas I was awake for hours.
We can also put “whereas” at the beginning of sentences; e.g. Whereas I was awake
for hours, they fell asleep

• However to contrast two sentences. We usually put “however” at the beginning of

a sentence and we put a comma (,) after the word “however”; e.g. I like cats.
However, I prefer dogs.

•but to contrast two clauses in the same sentences. In formal written language, we
do not usually use “but” at the beginning of sentences; e.g. Frank is very athletic,
but his brother isn’t, not Frank is very athletic. But his brother isn’t

CONNECTING WORDS: CONTRAST (2)

• but to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said; e.g. This
coat is so old, but it’s still my favourite.

• although/though to introduce a subordinate clause which mentions something that

contrasts with what you are saying in the main clause; e.g. Although it was
freezing, they went for a bike ride

• despite/ in spite of to contrast two clauses in the same sentence when we are
talking about circumstances which surprisingly, do not prevent something from
happening or being true; e.g. Despite/ In spite of the fact that he was ill, he went
to work. Despite/ In spite of all their hard work, they failed to make the deadline.

• nevertheless/ nonetheless/ however to add a comment which contrasts with what

has just been said to mean “despite what has just been said or referred to”. You can
use “nevertheless/however/however” to introduce a simple clause and we put a
comma (,) after the word “nevertheless/however”; e.g. I’m not particularly hungry.
Nevertheless/However, I will have one of those cakes.

• We can also use nevertheless/nonetheless after “but” to emphasise the contrast;

e.g. He only got 50% in his exam, but nevertheless, that’s better than last year.

TIPS! • We do not use “in spite of/despite” as a conjunction. We use

“although/though”; e.g. Although he was late, he stopped to buy some flowers, not
In spite of/Despite he was late…
• After “in spite of/despite” we usually use a noun or verb+ ing; e.g. In spite of/
Despite the weather, we had a great time. In spite of/ Despite being late, they
allowed us into the theatre.

EXERCISES

CONNECTING WORDS: CONTRAST (1)

1.- Match an idea in A with one in B. Then join the ideas to make a sentence using
“although” or “whereas”

A B

1. Mo still smokes, a. I’ve had lessons

2. They fell asleep, b. I stopped playing ages ago
3. I can’t drive, c. she knows she shouldn’t
4. Amy still plays tennis, d. I’d been there before
5. I got lost, e. I was awake for hours
e.g.1. Mo still smokes, although she knows she shouldn’t

key: 2. They fell asleep, whereas I was awake for hours, 3 I can’t drive, although I’ve
had lessons, 4 Amy still plays tennis, whereas I stopped playing ages ago, 5 I got lost,
although I’d been there before

2.- Fill in the gap with these connecting words. Sometimes there is more than one
possible answer.

although, even though, whereas, however, but

1.
________ I never bother to lock my car, I know I should
2. I never bother to lock my car, ________ I know I should
3. ________ Jane always helps, her brother never does
4. ________ Jane says she’s willing to help, she rarely does
5. _______ I like cats, I prefer dogs
6. I like cats. ____________, I prefer dogs
7. Frank is very athletic, _________ his brother isn’t
8. Frank is very athletic. __________, his brother isn’t
Key: 1 Although/ even though, 2 although/ even though/ but, 3 whereas, 4 although/
even though, 5 although/even though, 6 however, 7 whereas/but, 8 however

3.- Read the extract from a student’s written work. Then correct the underlined
mistakes. There is more than one possible answer

Everyone I know feels low at times, (1) although I honestly don’t. (2) Whereas I do
sometimes feel a bit low on energy, it’s not something that happens every day.
Maybe it’s related to the weather.

Anyway, when I do feel a bit low on energy I have a quick shower and that usually
works. (3) Even though, my brother is very different. If he’s a bit low, he actually
goes for a ten-kilometre-run. (4) However, he’s actually 39, he sometimes behaves
like a 20-year-old fitness fanatic!

Key: EVERYONE I know feels low at times, WHEREAS I honestly don’t.

ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH I do sometimes feel a bit low on energy, it’s not
something that happens EVERY DAY. MAYBE it’s related to the weather.

ANYWAY, when I do feel a bit low on energy I have a quick shower and that usually
works. HOWEVER, my brother is very different. If he’s a bit low, he actually goes for
a TEN-KILOMETRE run. ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH he’s actually 39, he sometimes
behaves like a 20-year-old fitness fanatic!

4. Fill in the gaps with these connecting words/phrases. Sometimes there is more
than one possible answer

even though, however, whereas, but, although

1.
I’m a determined person. _________, I’m also a good listener
2. Gail’s sister is very confident _________ Gail is quite a cautious person
3. I got over the flu weeks ago, ___________ I’m still feeling under the weather
4. ____________ our car’s getting on a bit, it still runs as smoothly as the day it
was bought
5. It’s still a bit on the chilly side in here __________ the heating is on full
Key: 1. However, but, 2 whereas, 3 but/although, 4 even though/ although, 5 even
though

CONNECTING WORDS: CONTRAST (2)

1. Choose the correct connecting word. Sometimes both answers are possible.

1. This coat is so old, despite/ but it’s still my favourite

2. In spite of/Although it was freezing, they went for a bike ride

3. Nonetheless/ In spite of the fact that he was ill, he went into work

4. I’m not hungry. Nevertheless/ However, I will have one of those cakes.

5. He only got 50% in his exam, but nevertheless/ however that’s better than last
year

6. Despite/ Although being late, they allowed us into the theatre

7. In spite of/Although the weather, we had a great time

8. Despite/ In spite of all their hard work, they failed to make the deadline

9 I told him not to phone. Nevertheless/Even though, he did.

Key: 1 but, 2 although, 3 in spite of, 4 nevertheless/ however, 5 nevertheless, 6

despite, 7 in spite of, 8 despite/ in spite of, 9 nevertheless

2. Read this extract from a student’s work. Then correct the underlined mistakes.
Sometimes there is more than one possible answer.

Have you ever been to New York? I went to NY, USA for the first time last December.
The trip was a birthday present from my parents. (1) Although only being there for a
long weekend, Thursday to Sunday, I had an amazing time. I visited all the main
sights, the Rockefeller Building, Central Park, etc. They were great. In fact, (2)
despite it snowed, I went to the park every day. I stayed with my father’s friends.
Prof Anais Boyer and Pierre Boyer, who both teach at New York university. Their
apartment is quite far from the city centre, but (3) however, I walked into town
every day.

Key: Have you ever been to New York [INCORRECT]? I went to NY, USA {MATTER OF
PERSONAL STYLE] for the first time last December. The trip was a birthday present
from my parents. (1) DESPITE/ IN SPITE OF only being there for a long weekend,
Thursday to Sunday, I had an amazing time. I visited all the main sights, the
Rockefeller Building, Central Park, etc. They were great. In fact, (2) ALTHOUGHe it
snowed, I went to the park every day. I stayed with my father’s friends. Prof Anais
Boyer and Pierre Boyer, who both teach at New York University. Their apartment is
quite far from the city centre, but (3) NEVERTHELESS, I walked into town every day.

3. Join sentence beginnings 1-5 to sentence endings a)-e) using these connecting
words

1. They’re running the story despite b)

2. He doesn’t read any newspapers, but ________
3. The story didn’t make the broadsheets. ________
4. The stories emerged during a very busy news period. ________
5. The star has remained silent until now ________
a. Seems to be well informed about current events
b. The actor threatening to sue for libel
c. They received as lot of coverage
d. His agent issued a short press release
e. It was all over the tabloids
Key: 2 nonetheless a), 3 however/Nevertheless c), 4 However/Nevertheless c), 5
although d)