Expressing contrast

CONNECTORS OF CONTRAST

»However
»Nevertheless
»On the one hand / on the other
hand
»In spite of / despite
»Although /even though
»But
 CONNECTORS OF CONTRAST
• Some connectors have got similar
meanings but:

1. are followed by different structures.

2. Take different places in the sentence.
 ALTHOUGH/ EVEN THOUGH
Even though and although are followed by a clause.

subject + verb (A
although/ even though subject verb
clause)

Although am poor, I am happy.

I

Although they played well, they lost.

Even though she was tired, she went out.
Even though he eats a lot, he is thin.
 In spite of and despite
Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase or a gerund.

despite/ in spite subject + verb

the fact (that) subject verb
of (A clause)
Despite I am poor, I am happy.
the fact that

the fact
Despite they played well, they lost.

In spite of the fact that she was tired, she went out.
In spite of the fact that he eats a lot, he is thin.

despite/ in spite of -ing form subject + verb (A clause)

Despite being poor, I am happy.

Despite playing well, they lost.

In spite of being tired, she went out.
In spite of eating a lot, he is thin.
This form is less common but possible:

despite/ in spite of Noun subject + verb

Despite my poverty,
I am happy.

they lost.
Despite their good play,

In spite of her tiredness, she went out.

In spite of his great appetite, he is thin.
 Connectors are usually written in
specific places in a sentence:
• At the beginning of a sentence:
however, nevertheless, on the one hand,
on the other hand.
• Either at the beginning or in the middle:
despite, in spite of, although, even
though.
• Only in the middle of a sentence:
but
Let´s practice…
• ______ he´s only 12, David is taller than his mother.
A. Although
B. In spite of

• We went out _____ the rain.

A. Despite
B. Even though

• _______ its financial problems, the company is successful.

A. Even though
B. Despite
• He still loves her _____ everything.
A. Although
B. In spite of

• I won´t go to the party _____ I was invited.

A. Even though
B. Despite

• ________ her illness, James went to school.

A. Although
B. In spite of

• ________ he´s 86, he has an excellent health.

A. Even though
B. Despite
• You can copy down my answers ______ I´m not sure they´re
right.
A. Although
B. In spite of

• Buses are still running ______ the snow.

A. Even though
B. Despite

• I like my apartment a lot _________ it is quite small.

A. Although
B. Despite
 Let´s practice…

• Although
__________ she is beautiful, everybody hates her.
in spite of the noise.
• The children slept deeply __________
• __________
In spite of earning a low salary, Sara helped her parents.
• Jane rarely sees Alan __________
although they are neighbors.
• Kate didn´t do well in the exam ___________
in spite of working very hard.

• __________
Although I was very hungry, I couldn´t eat.
• _____________
In spite of the difficulty, they managed to solve
the problem.
• Liza never talked to him __________
although she loved him.
• Although
___________ it was cold, Marie didn´t put on her coat.
• CREDITS
• http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/
grammar-exercise-although.php
• http://www.englishbee.net/lessons/advan_exer/a
lthough_despite/quiz/quiz.htm