Contrasting

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:
The team was beaten, but Paul scored three goals.
I don't like most sweet food, but I love chocolate.
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:
Although it was raining, they went on a picnic.
They went on a picnic although it was raining.
Though can be used in exactly the same way, and is more common in informal speech:
Though it was raining, they went on a picnic.
They went on a picnic though it was raining.
If we use even though in this way, the word even stresses that what follows is surprising:
Even though he's almost ninety, he's entered the marathon.
Though can also be used as an adverb, to mean however (see below).
Frogs, though, are amphibians and not reptiles.
"Strange place, isn't it?" "Yes. Very interesting, though."
Even so also means however (see below), and comes at the beginning of the sentence:
They come from a very rich family. Even so, they're really mean with their money.
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.
The children had a lovely day. However, they arrived home very sunburnt.

The government vowed to reduce inflation. Nevertheless, one year later, the rate has
increased by 3 percent.
We use mind you and still to introduce whatever contrasts as an afterthought:
He's a horrible man. Mind you, many people like him.
The weather was awful all week. Still, we had a nice rest.
Yet, still and in spite of this all emphasise that something is surprising, considering what has already
been said:
He's been an invalid since he was a child and yet has had a brilliant career.
United were four goals down at halftime, and were still able to win the game.
He claims that he's a vegetarian. In spite of this, he does enjoy a bit of ham every now and
again.
In spite of can also be used as a preposition. In spite of + noun is very similar to although + clause
(see above):
He looks very fit in spite of his age (=although he's very old)
He went to the gym in spite of his broken leg (=although he had a broken leg)
In spite of can be followed by an -ing form.
In spite of not being able to swim, she survived for almost an hour in the sea.
We can also use despite in the same way as in spite of in more formal English:
He was considered for the position despite his lack of experience.

1 But comes at the start of the sentence/between the two clauses/both.

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2 Although comes at the start of the sentence/between the two clauses/both.

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3 Is there a difference between although and though?

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4 Even though using this suggests that the information that follows is _________________.
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5 Though can also be used as an ___________________.

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6 Even so comes at the start of the sentence/between the two clauses/both.

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7 However, nevertheless, mind you, still, yet can be used as adverbs. T/F

8 However and nevertheless emphasise the fact that the first/second thing that you are saying
contrasts with the first/second.
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9 Which two words are used to introduce afterthoughts things we had not originally planned to
say? ___________________________________________________________________________
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10 Yet, still and in spite of this all emphasise that something is _________________, considering
what has already been said.
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11 In spite of is followed by a noun/verb+ing/both

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