When we want to make two points, and
emphasise that one of them contrasts with the other, there are a number
of different words and expressions that we can use.
Probably the most common and
simplest word to use is the conjunction but. It comes between the two
clauses that you wish to contrast:
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The team lost the game, but
Paul scored three goals.
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I don't like most sweet food, but
I love chocolate.
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Although is also a conjunction, and can come either at the beginning
of a sentence, or between the two clauses that you wish to contrast:
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Although it was raining, they went on a picnic.
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They went on a picnic although
it was raining.
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Though can be used in exactly the same way, and is more common in
informal speech:
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Though it was raining, they went on a picnic.
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They went on a picnic though
it was raining.
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If we use even though in this
way, the word even stresses that what follows is surprising:
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Even though he's almost ninety, he's entered the marathon.
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Though can also be used as an adverb, used especially at the end
of the sentence to add a fact or an opinion that
makes the previous statement less strong or less important.
makes the previous statement less strong or less important.
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Our team lost. It was a good game
though.
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"Have you ever been to
Australia?" "No, I’d like to, though."
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Even so also means however (see below), and comes at the
beginning of the sentence:
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They come from a very rich family.
Even so, they're really mean with their money.
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However, nevertheless, mind you,
still, yet, and in spite of this can all be
used as adverbs to show that something you are saying contrasts with something
else.
However and nevertheless emphasise the fact that the second
thing that you are saying contrasts with the first. Nevertheless is more
formal.
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The children had a lovely day. However,
they arrived home very sunburnt.
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The government vowed to reduce
inflation. Nevertheless, one year later, the rate has increased by 3
percent.
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We use mind you and still
to introduce whatever contrasts as an afterthought:
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He's a horrible man. Mind you,
many people like him.
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The weather was awful all week. Still,
we had a nice rest.
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Yet, still and in spite of this all emphasise that something is
surprising, considering what has already been said:
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He's been an invalid since he was
a child and yet has had a brilliant career.
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United were four goals down at
halftime, and were still able to win the game.
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He claims that he's a vegetarian. In
spite of this, he does enjoy a bit of ham every now and again.
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In spite of can also be used as a preposition. In spite of +
noun is very similar to although + clause (see above):
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He looks very fit in spite of his
age (=although he's very old)
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He went to the gym in spite of
his broken leg (=although he had a broken leg)
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In spite of can be followed by an -ing form.
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In spite of not being able to swim, she survived for almost an hour in
the sea.
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We can also use despite in
the same way as in spite of in more formal English:
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He was considered for the position
despite his lack of experience.
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Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally
used at the beginning of a sentence.
"He works hard, but he doesn't
earn much."
"He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much."
"He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much."
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of
contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
"Although it was cold, she went
out in shorts."
"In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts."
"In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts."
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due
to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to
follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
"Despite the fact that the
company was doing badly, they took on extra employees."
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
"The sea was cold, but he went
swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was cold.)
"The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
"The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two
things are different from each other.
"While my sister has blue eyes,
mine are brown."
"Taxes have gone up, whereas
social security contributions have gone down."
"Unlike in the UK, the USA has
cheap petrol."
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