EXPRESSING CONTRAST
ALTHOUGH
BUT
WHEREAS
HOWEVER
IN SPITE OF
DESPITE
We can use although and even though to introduce a contrast. After although and even
though we use a clause, with a subject and a verb.
Although she doesnt enjoy her job, she works hard.
She passed the exam, although she hadn't studied for it
Even though they were late, they didn't hurry
Even though is stronger, more emphatic than although:
Jeff looked quite fresh, even though hes just run a marathon.
Although I hate Gary, I shall try to be nice to him.
We can use though instead of although, especially in a more informal style
Though they were late, they didn't hurry
We also use though to mean 'however' at the end of a sentence
The room is very small, It's quite comfortable though'
We can use in spite of or despite to talk about contrast. After them we can use a noun, or an
-ing form.
In spite of the bad weather, we went out for a walk
Despite being late, they didnt hurry
Compare in spite of / despite and although:
In spite of the rain / Despite the rain, we started to play tennis.
Although it was raining we started to play tennis.
Compare in spite of / despite and although:
Im not better in spite of the pill OR in spite of taking the pill
NOT In spite of I have taken the pill
Im not better although I have taken the pill
Mark is doing little progress in spite of his hard work OR in spite of working hard
NOT in spite of he works hard.
Mark is doing little progress although he works hard
We also say in spite of / despite the fact (that) in the same way as although.
In spite of the fact that they were late, they didnt hurry.
They didnt hurry despite the fact that they were late.
They didnt hurry although they were late.
We can introduce a contrast between two ideas using while and whereas.
He is quiet and shy, while / whereas his sister is lively and talkative
We can also express a contrast by using the adverb however with two sentences.
she said she didnt want to change her job. However, she may change her mind
but and although
We can join two clauses with but:
The caf was crowded , but we found a table
Sadie passed her test, but she never drives
We can also use although:
Although the caf was crowded, we found a table
Although Sadie has passed her test, she never drives
The clause with although can also come after the main clause:
We found a table , although the caf was crowded