CONTRAST

CONJUNCTIONS
Transitional: used between two independent sentences
or clauses to join them
Subordinating: used to join a dependent clause(also
called a subordinate clause) with an independent
clause.
although, even though, though
despite, in spite of
 Study this example situation:

“Last year Jack and Jill spent their holiday by

the sea. It rained a lot but they enjoyed
themselves.”

You can say:

• Although it rained a lot, they enjoyed
themselves.
• In spite of the rain, they enjoyed themselves.
• After although or even though or though, we use a
subject + predicate.
• After in spite of or despite, we use a noun, a
pronoun (this/that/what/etc), or –ing.
• You can say despite the fact that …(clause)… or
in spite of the fact that …(clause)…
• In spoken English, we often use though at the end
of a sentence:
- The house isn’t very nice. I like the garden though.
(= but I like the garden)
- I see him every day. I’ve never spoken to him
though. (= but I’ve never spoken to him)
• Even though is a stronger form of although.
 Compare the followings:
• Although/Even Though vs. Because
- We went out although it was raining.
- We didn’t go out because it was raining.

• Despite/In spite of vs. Because of

- We went out in spite of the rain.
- We didn’t go out because of the rain.
 Complete the sentences with
although/in spite of/because/because of
1. …… it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
2. …… all our careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
3. …… we had planned everything carefully, a lot of things
went wrong.
4. I went home early …… I was feeling unwell.
5. I went to work the next day …… I was still feeling
unwell.
6. She only accepted the job …… the salary, which was
very high.
7. She accepted the job …… the salary, which was rather
low.
8. I managed to get to sleep …… there was a lot of noise.
9. I couldn’t get to sleep …… the noise.
Use your ideas to complete the following
sentences:

a. He passed the exam although …

b. He passed the exam because …

c. I didn’t eat anything although …

d. I didn’t eat anything in spite of …
 Make one sentence from two.
Use the word(s) in brackets in your sentences.
1. I couldn’t sleep. I was tired. (despite)
2. They have very little money. They are happy.
(in spite of)
3. My foot was injured. I managed to walk to
the nearest village. (although)
4. I enjoyed the film. The story was silly. (in
spite of)
5. We live the same street. We hardly ever see
each other. (despite)
6. I got very wet in the rain. I had an umbrella.
(even though)
 Use the words in brackets to make a
sentence with though at the end.

• The house isn’t very nice. (like/garden)

• It’s quite warm. (a bit windy)
• We didn’t like the food. (ate)
• Liz is very nice. (don’t like/husband)
 Read the following dialogue and answer the questions.

Woman: Are you a good driver?

Man : Yes, I’m rather good at driving.
Woman: I need you to teach me how to drive.
Man : Okay. But do you have a learner’s permit?
Woman: Yes. I have it.
Man : Have you ever learnt to drive a car before?
Woman: Even though I have learnt to drive more than three times, I am
not skillful at driving.
Man : Are you aware of all the controls in the car?
Woman: I’ve already known all of them.
Man : When would you like me to start teaching you?
Woman: If you are free, I will be ready.
Man : Call me tomorrow and we’ll get started.
Woman: Do you think it will be clear tomorrow?
Man : Despite the rain, you should go on learning driving.
 Questions
1. What is the dialogue about?
2. What does the woman ask the man to do?
3. Has the woman driven a car before?
4. Does the woman know all the controls in the
car?
5. When will the man start to teach driving?
6. What is the woman worried about?
7. How will the driving if it rains tomorrow?
8. What expressions did your hear in the dialogue
that use contrasting conjunction?
 Read the following dialogue.
Nancy: Are you going to vote?
Arman: Although I don’t know who I’m going to vote, I’m so
excited to vote.
Nancy: Don’t you know who you’re going to vote for?
Arman: Actually I’m so impressed with the candidate number
3.
Nancy: What’s so great about her?
Arman: Despite her young age as a politician, I feel that she is
very intelligent.
Nancy: Oh, really?
Arman: Yes, and I agree with some of her policies.
Nancy: That’s good to hear. Are you going to vote her?
Arman: I don’t know. Candidates 1 and 2 are acceptable, though.
I haven’t made any decision about it.