Contrast Linkers

Contrast Linkers

When we want to introduce contrast in English, we use the following words:

In spite of/Despite (the fact that)

Although/Even though/Though

However/Nevertheless

Whereas

When & How

In spite of/Despite Followed by a noun phrase or pronoun (that/this/what,

etc.) or a verb in the ‘ing’ form

Despite their money, they can’t buy happiness. (noun phrase)

Despite what I said last night, I still love you. (pronoun)

In spite of having so much money, they can’t buy happiness. (verb in the ‘ing’ form)

When & How

Although/Even though/Though Followed by a clause/complete sentence with

subject + verb

Although she sang beautifully, she didn’t win the contest.

I am going out tonight, even though I am tired.

When & How

Though Though is often used at the end of a sentence.

The house isn’t very nice. I like the garden though.

Compare although & in spite of/despite

Although the traffic was bad, I arrived on time.

In spite of the traffic, I arrived on time.

I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired.

I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired.

Complete with the correct connector

1.________ it was raining, I didn’t use my umbrella. (although, despite)

2. I’d like to talk to you _______  I know you’re busy. (although, in spite of)

3. _______  her efforts, she failed the exam. (despite, although)

4. _______we were having difficulties, we felt optimistic. (although, in spite of)

5. We didn’t win the game ______ all our hard work. (although, in spite of)

Complete with the correct connector

1. Although it was raining, I didn’t use my umbrella. (although, despite)

2. I’d like to talk to you although  I know you’re busy. (although, in spite of)

3. Despite  her efforts, she failed the exam. (despite, although)

4. Although we were having difficulties, we felt optimistic. (although, in spite of)

5. We didn’t win the game in spite of all our hard work. (although, in spite of)

When & How

However/Nevertheless We can express a contrast by using the adverbs

however/nevertheless with two sentences.

They are always followed by a comma

She was feeling very ill. However, she went to school.

You need some help with your homework. Nevertheless, no one can help you and you have to do it yourself.

When & How

Whereas/While Introduce a contrast between two ideas.

The original movie was quite interesting, whereas the remake was really boring.

Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.

Connectors are usually written in specific places in a sentence:

At the beginning of a sentence:

however, nevertheless

Either at the beginning or in the middle:

despite, in spite of, although, even though, whereas, while

Only in the middle of a sentence:

but

In the middle or at the end of a sentence:

though

Complete the sentences

1. _______ Andrew was warned of the risks, he decided to travel alone to South America. (although, whereas)

2. Maria did not get a promotion ________ her qualifications. (however, despite)

3. Zambia is a land-locked country, _________ Kenya has a coastline. (however, whereas)

4. The city has a 50 kph limit. ____________, people are often caught speeding. (however, whereas)

5. He is quiet and shy, ______ his sister is lively and talkative. (although, whereas)

Complete the sentences

1. Although Andrew was warned of the risks, he decided to travel alone to South America. (although, whereas)

2. Maria did not get a promotion despite her qualifications. (however, despite)

3. Zambia is a land-locked country, whereas Kenya has a coastline. (however, whereas)

4. The city has a 50 kph limit. However, people are often caught speeding. (however, whereas)

5. He is quiet and shy, whereas his sister is lively and talkative. (although, whereas)

The End