B2Linking words15 min

Contrast: although, despite, however, whereas

Connect contrasting ideas accurately, with the right grammar and punctuation for each linker.

Contrast linkers show that two ideas are surprising together or different from each other. Their meanings are similar, but each one follows a different grammar pattern, and that is where most mistakes happen.

Linker	What follows	Example
although / even though / though	a clause (subject + verb)	Although the flat was small, it was very bright.
despite / in spite of	a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form	Despite the rain, the festival went ahead.
despite / in spite of + the fact that	a clause	In spite of the fact that she was tired, Nia kept working.
however / nevertheless	a new sentence, usually with a comma after the linker	The hotel was expensive. However, the service was excellent.
whereas / while	a clause that compares two different facts	Ali prefers the mountains, whereas his sister loves the coast.

Although and despite express an unexpected result: we expect one thing, but something else happens. Whereas and while simply compare two facts that are different; there is no surprise. Even though is stronger than although. Though is more informal and can also come at the end of a sentence: The test was hard. I passed, though.

Same idea, different grammar

Although it was late, we went for a walk.
Despite the late hour, we went for a walk.
Despite being tired, we went for a walk.
It was late. However, we went for a walk.
Lucas has a full-time job, whereas his brother is still at university.

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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