CONTRAST

Linking Words

ALTHOUGH/ EVEN 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.

THOUGH

Though is sometimes used instead of although

I didn’t get the job though I had all the necessary qualifications.

Though is often used at the end of a sentence.The house isn’t very nice. I like the garden though.

IN SPITE OF / DESPITE

Followed by a noun phrase or a verb in the ‘ing’ form

Despite their money, they can’t buy happiness.In spite of having so much money, they can’t buy happiness.

In spite of /despite the fact that + clauseIn spite of / Despite the fact that we lacked time, we

listened to them.

HOWEVER/NEVERTHELESS

However and nevertheless emphasise the fact that the second thing that you are saying contrasts with the first. Nevertheless is more formalThese words are separated from the sentence they introduce 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.

WHEREAS/WHILE

They are used to compare two items or facts. They are separated by a comma.

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

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

YET/STILL

Yet and still emphasise that something is surprising, considering what has already been said:

He's been an invalid since he was a child and yet he has had a brilliant career.

He says that he's a vegetarian. Still, he does enjoy a bit of ham every now and again.

ON THE OTHER HAND

used when you are comparing two different facts or two opposite ways of thinking about a situation. On the other hand is used for balancing contrasting points.

Arranged marriages are common in many Middle Eastern countries. In the West, on the other hand, they are unusual.

On the one hand….on the other hand

Exercises 14 - 15

Ex 142 B3 C4 B5 A6 B7 C8 B9 A10 B

Ex 152 Despite being late, we stopped

to have something to eat.3 In spite of being good friends,

they argue a lot. 4 Although they have a lot of

money, they are mean. 5 Even though he (had) won the

competition, he wasn’t satisfied.6 Despite waking up early, he

was late for his appointment.

Exercise 16

2 We went to the party. We were very tired, though.

3 In spite of working very hard, she doesn’t earn much money.

4 Despite being ill, she went to work.

5 This appliance is very expensive, yet it is impractical.

6 The teacher explained the question in detail. Still, I didn’t understand it.

7 Even though I drank a bottle of water, I was still thirsty.

8 In spite of the fact that the film was boring, we continued to watch it.

9 David can’t play football. On the other hand, he is good at basketball.

10 It was very late. Nevertheless, the guests didn’t leave.

11 Lisa went shopping, but she didn’t buy anything.

12 The boy fell off his bike. However, he wasn’t hurt.

13 Although he was tired, he couldn’t sleep.

Exercises 16 - 17

14 Brian is good at Maths, whereas his sister is good at Science.

15 Janet is clever. Still, she finds some subjects difficult.

16 Despite being rich, he is not very happy.

Ex 17 2 It was a lovely day. However, they

stayed inside.2 In spite of the lovely day, they

stayed inside.

3 Martin is a good cook. Still, he rarely cooks for his friends.

3 Martin is a good cook. He rarely cooks for his friends, though.

4 The house is in bad condition, even though they paid a lot of money for it.

4 The house is in bad condition. Nevertheless, they paid a lot of money for it.

Exercise 17

5 Despite the fact that the lecture was important, few students attended.

5 The lecture was important, yet few students attended.

6 Although there wasn’t much food in the fridge, we managed to make a meal.

6 There wasn’t much food in the fridge. However, we managed to make a meal.

7 She hadn’t slept well. Still, she looked fresh and lively.

7 In spite of not sleeping well, she looked fresh and lively.

8 His parents are very rich. Nevertheless, he never asks them for money.

8 His parents are very rich, yet he never asks them for money.

9 Though I had seen the film before, I enjoyed watching it again.

9 Despite having seen the film before, I enjoyed watching it again.

Exercise 17

10 Even though Celine Dion is my favourite singer, I haven’t been to any of her concerts.

10 Celine Dion is my favourite singer. However, I haven’t been to any of her concerts.