Joy English
Joy English
← Back to the lesson

Joy English · Level B2 · Linking wordsjoy-english.com

Contrast: although, despite, however, whereas

Name:Date:

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

Choose the linker

Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence.

  1. ___ the traffic, we arrived on time.
    • a) Although
    • b) Despite
    • c) However
  2. ___ she had a cold, Mariam ran the race.
    • a) Despite
    • b) In spite of
    • c) Although
  3. The film had great reviews. ___, I found it rather boring.
    • a) However
    • b) Although
    • c) Despite
  4. My sister loves spicy food, ___ I prefer mild dishes.
    • a) whereas
    • b) despite
    • c) however
  5. In spite ___ the cold weather, the children played outside all day.
    • a) that
    • b) from
    • c) of
  6. Despite ___ very little sleep, Oscar felt full of energy.
    • a) he had
    • b) having
    • c) have
  7. Which sentence is correct?
    • a) Despite of the rain, we went out.
    • b) Although the rain, we went out.
    • c) Despite the rain, we went out.
  8. The project was difficult. We finished it on time, ___.
    • a) though
    • b) although
    • c) despite

Complete the sentences

Type one word in each gap. A letter in brackets is the first letter of the missing word. A verb in brackets needs the correct form.

  1. Despite ___ (feel) nervous, Lin gave an excellent speech.
  2. In spite ___ the long queue, we decided to wait.
  3. The café is very small. ___ (h), it always has a free table.
  4. My brother is very tidy, ___ (w) I am quite messy.
  5. ___ (a) we left early, we still missed the start of the show.
  6. Despite the fact ___ she lives far away, Zara visits us every week.
  7. Even ___ (t) the instructions were clear, many people made mistakes.
  8. Nico has a lot of experience. ___ (n), he still asks for advice.

Answer key

Choose the linker

  1. b) DespiteThe traffic is a noun phrase, so we need despite. Although needs a clause.
  2. c) AlthoughShe had a cold is a clause (subject + verb), so we need although.
  3. a) HoweverThe contrast starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma, so we use however.
  4. a) whereasWe compare two different facts in one sentence, so we use whereas. However cannot join clauses with only a comma.
  5. c) ofThe full linker is in spite of, followed by a noun phrase.
  6. b) havingDespite is followed by a noun or an -ing form, not a clause.
  7. c) Despite the rain, we went out.Despite is followed directly by a noun, with no of. Although needs a clause.
  8. a) thoughOnly though can come at the end of a sentence to show contrast.

Complete the sentences

  1. feelingDespite is followed by a noun or an -ing form.
  2. ofIn spite always needs of before a noun phrase.
  3. howeverHowever starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma.
  4. whereas / while / whilstWe compare two different facts, so we use whereas or while.
  5. althoughWe left early is a clause, and the result is unexpected, so we use although.
  6. thatBefore a clause, despite needs the fact that.
  7. thoughEven though is a stronger form of although and is followed by a clause.
  8. nevertheless / nonethelessNevertheless works like however: it starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma.

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/grammar/contrast-linkers