Linking words of contrast

Examples

Watch the full video lesson here - ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX3jmU6pVoE

Example 1
Situation
▪ John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor.
▪ John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer.

Vocabulary
▪ have one’s mind set on sth​ = be determined to do or have sth
▪ make it big ​=​ ​become very successful

But
● John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor, ​but​ he had his mind set on
making it big as a pop singer.

Though/although/even though
1.
Although​ his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set on making it big as a pop
singer.

Common error alert!

▪ Although​ his parents wanted him to be a doctor, ​but​ John had his mind set on making it big as a
pop singer.

2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer ​although​ his parents wanted him to be a
doctor.

However
1.
John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor. ​However​, he had his mind set on making it big as a pop
singer.
2.
✯ John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor. He, ​however​, had his mind set on making it big as
a pop singer.

In spite of/despite
1.
Despite the fact that​ his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set on making it big
as a pop singer.
 2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer, ​despite the fact that​ his parents wanted him
to be a doctor.
Example 2
Situation
▪ The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth.
▪ The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds.

But
● The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, ​but​ it can only run at top
speed for about 30 seconds.

Though/although/even though
1.
✯ Although/Even though​ the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, it can only run at top
speed for about 30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, ​even though​ it is the fastest land
animal on earth.

However
✯ The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth. ​However​, it can only run at top speed for
about 30 seconds.

In spite of/despite
1.
✯ Despite​ being the fastest land animal on earth, the cheetah can only run at top speed for
about 30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, ​despite​ being the fastest land animal
on earth.
Example 3
Situation
▪ I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere.
▪ I can’t find my glasses.

But
✯ I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere, ​but​ I can’t find them.

Though/although/even though
1.
Though ​I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere, I can’t find them.
2.
I can’t find my glasses ​though ​I’ve looked everywhere.

However
1. I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere. ​However, ​I can’t find them.

In spite of/despite
1.
Despite​ having looked for my glasses everywhere, I can’t find them.
2.
I can’t find my glasses ​despite​ having looked everywhere.
Example 4
Situation
▪ There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.
▪ Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.

Vocabulary
▪ proliferation =​ ​ ​a great increase in the number or amount of sth
▪ on the rise​ = increasing

Although/even though
● Although​ there is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers,
research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.

However
● There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers. ​However,
research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.

In spite of/despite
1.
✯ Research shows that ​despite​ the proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers, sales
of print books are actually on the rise.
2.
Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise, ​despite​ the proliferation of mobile
phones, tablets and e-readers.
Example 5
Situation
▪ There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory.
▪ The management has yet to introduce any new safety measures.

Vocabulary
▪ a slew of =​ ​ ​a large number or amount of sth (ex: accidents, problems, features,
comments)

But
● There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, ​but​ the
management has yet to introduce any new safety measures.

Although/even though
1.
Although​ there have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management has yet to
introduce any new safety measures.
2.
The management has yet to introduce any new safety measures in the factory ​even though​ there
have been a slew of recent accidents there.

However
● There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. ​However,​ the
management has yet to introduce any new safety measures in the factory.

In spite of/despite
1.
Despite​ a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management has yet to introduce any new
safety measures.
2.
✯ There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. ​Despite this​, the management has
yet to introduce any new safety measures.
Example 6
Situation
▪ Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs.
▪ Few are prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad
unforeseen challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.

Vocabulary
▪ entrepreneur ​=​ ​a person who starts his or her own business
▪ myriad =​ a great number of sth (ex: ways, reasons, issues, benefits, opportunities)
▪ unforeseen​ = not expected or predicted (ex: circustances, consequences, delays,
costs)
▪ part and parcel​ = included in sth, cannot be separated from sth

But
● Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, ​but​ few
are prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad
unforeseen challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed
lifestyle.

Although/even though
1.
Although​ many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, few are prepared for
the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, ​although​ few are prepared for
the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.

However
1.
✯ Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. ​However​, few are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges
that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. Few, ​however​, are prepared for
the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.