Linking words contrast

1. CONTRAST
Linking Words

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 + clause
In spite of / Despite the fact that we lacked time, we listened to
them.

5. HOWEVER/NEVERTHELESS
However and nevertheless emphasise the fact that the second
thing that you are saying contrasts with the first. Nevertheless is
more formal
These 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Exercises 14 - 15
Ex 14
2 B
3 C
4 B
5 A
6 B
7 C
8 B
9 A
10 B
Ex 15
2 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.