Contrasting ideas

1. CONTRASTING CONTRASTING
IDEASIDEAS

2. There are a number of formulas used when There are a number of formulas used when
contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of
the most common:the most common:
We'd love to stay for dinnerWe'd love to stay for dinner, but, but we have got we have got
to get going. to get going.
They decided to stay in the area, They decided to stay in the area, in spite ofin spite of
their problems with the local residents. their problems with the local residents.
DespiteDespite the difficulties of a long journey, the difficulties of a long journey,
Peter decided to visit India. Peter decided to visit India.
Getting a good job is hard work, Getting a good job is hard work, howeverhowever, ,
most people eventually find one with most people eventually find one with
patience. patience.
There were a number of people who came, There were a number of people who came,
although although the hotels were not equipped to the hotels were not equipped to
handle them all. handle them all.

3. Use 'in spite of' plus
a noun, noun
phrase or gerund
They continued on
their journey, in
spite of the pouring
rain.
OR
In spite of the
pouring rain, the
continued on their
journey.
Main
statement, in
spite of
Contrasting
statement
OR
in spite of
Contrasting
statement,
main statement
Use a comma or
semi colon (;)
with 'but'. 'But' is
the most common
way to show
contrasting ideas.
I'd really like to
come to the film,
but I have to
study tonight.
main
statement, but
Contrasting
statement
ExplanationExampleFormula

4. Use 'despite' plus a
noun, noun phrase
or gerund
They continued
on their journey,
despite the
pouring rain.
OR
Despite the
pouring rain,
they continued
on their journey.
main statement,
despite
contrasting
statement
OR
Despite
contrasting
statement, main
statement

5. Use 'however'
preceded and
followed by a
comma (,). You can
also contrast ideas
in two sentences by
beginning the
contrasting sentence
with 'However'.
She is a very
intelligent girl,
however, her
tendency to not pay
attention in class
causes her
problems.
OR
She is a very
intelligent girl.
However, her
tendency to not pay
attention in class
causes her
problems.
main
statement,
however,
contrasting
statement
OR
main
statement.
However,
contrasting
statement

6. Use 'although' with
a subject and a
verb.
We wanted to buy
a sports car,
although we knew
that fast cars
can be dangerous.
OR
Although we knew
that fast cars can
be dangerous, we
wanted to buy a
sports car.
main
statement,
although
contrasting
statement
OR
Although
contrasting
statement,
main
statement

7. NOW YOU TRY!NOW YOU TRY!

8. 1. We'd love to stay for dinner, _____ we have got to get
going.
but
although
Despite
2. They decided to stay in the area, _____ their problems
with the local residents.
in spite of
although
but
3. _____ the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided
to visit India.
Even though
However,
Despite