B2 LINKERS OF CONTRAST

THOUGH – ALTHOUGH – EVEN THOUGH. + CLAUSE

Although / though the exam was difficult, I think I did well. (Linker + clause , clause)
I think I did well although/ though the exam was difficult. (Clause + linker + clause)
The exam was difficult. I think I did well, though.
Even though the exam was easy, I failed.

There is no difference in meaning between them but: (Position: beginning or middle)

Though: informal (the only one that can be placed at the end of the sentence)
Although: formal
Even though: emphatic

DESPITE – IN SPITE OF. + NOUN (PHRASE)/ -ING PHRASE

Despite / In spite of his best efforts, the man couldn’t succeed. (Linker + noun phrase , clause)
The man couldn’t succeed despite/ in spite of his best efforts. (Clause + linker + clause)

Despite/ in spite of being on time to the lecture, we were not admitted.

(Linker + ing clause , clause)

BUT: If you want a clause after the linker you have to add the fact that ….

Despite/ in spite of the fact that we were on time to the lecture, we were not admitted.

There is no difference in meaning between all of them

- I love London despite the bad weather.

- I love London in spite of the bad weather.
- Despite the bad weather, I love London.
- In spite of the bad weather, I love London.
- Despite the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
- In spite of the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
- I love London despite the fact that the weather is bad.
- I love London in spite of the fact that the weather is bad.

HOWEVER

We use the above linkers to connect two clauses in the same sentence. On the other hand,
however is used to put the two ideas in two separate sentences. It can be in beginning, middle
and end position. It always comes after a full stop or a comma and it is always followed by a
comma or a full stop.

- I love London. However, the weather is bad.

- I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
- I love London. The weather is bad, however/ though
NEVERTHELESS - NONETHELESS

They are the formal equivalents for however.

- She didn’t love him, but she nevertheless agreed to marry him.
- I already knew a lot of what was said, but the class was fun nonetheless.

WHILE – WHEREAS - UNLIKE

While and whereas are usually used between two complete phrases.
Unlike is typically used with only a subject.

- I like tennis, while my brother prefers bowling.

- This cell phone plan costs 0.05 cents per minute, whereas that one gives you up to 800
minutes per month for a fixed price.
- His boss allows him to work from home, unlike mine.
- She’s very friendly, unlike her sister.
- Whereas most boys are good at football, the girls are good at baseball.

Warning: whereas means the same as while in sentences expressing contrast. It does not mean
the same as while when it refers to time:

- The south has a hot, dry climate, whereas / while the north has a milder, wetter climate.
- The secretary took care of my appointments while I was away from the office

YET

This linker is used to say something surprising that contradicts what has just been said.

- He’s overweight and bald, yet somehow, he is attractive.

- He studied a lot, yet he didn’t pass the exam.

HAPPY WRITING!