GRAMMAR

3 Types of Contrast

1. Which of these words is a “neutral” way to show contrast between sentences?

o although o but
o while o despite
2. Which of these words is a way to show contrast + surprise?
o whilst o in contrast
o on the other hand o in spite of
3. Which of these words is a way to show direct opposites or direct contrast?
o even though o despite
o whereas o In contrast
4. Which grammar pattern do we use after although and even though?
o a clause / sentence o a noun
o a verb+ing o the fact that + a clause
5. Which grammar pattern MUSTN’T we use after despite and in spite of?
o a clause / sentence o a noun
o a verb+ing o the fact that + a clause
6-13. Choose the best word to complete the following sentences:
(6) ___________ speaking 4 languages, John was turned down for a job at the United Nations.
o Despite o While
o Although o But
(7) ________________ many people believe that having a high salary is the main reason why
people are happy at work, recent research has shown that having colleagues is a more important
factor.
o Despite o However,
o Even though o In contrast
(8) _______________ the number of blue collar jobs in most societies is rising, the number of
people who are willing to do them is dropping.
o While o But
o In spite of o However,
(9) ________________ the increase in life expectancy is obviously beneficial for mankind, it can
also have a number of difficult financial consequences.
o Whereas o Although
o In spite of o But
(10)________________ recent efforts by the government, the problem of unemployment continues
to affect the youth of today.
o While o Although
o In spite of o On the other hand,
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 (11) Many people want to study at university ___________ don’t have the money to do so.  
o although o but
o despite o while
(12) I hate fish. _________ , I go to the sushi restaurant every week.
o However o Nevertheless
o Although o But
(13) ________________ being the quickest way to travel, planes produce a lot of polluting carbon
dioxide.
o Although o However
o Despite o While

14. Change the sentences so they start with despite + verb+ing.

a. Although Russia is one of the largest producers of oil, it still imports petrol.
___________________________________________________________________________
b. Although it recorded high sales, the company closed last week.
___________________________________________________________________________

15. Change the sentences from despite + verb+ing sentence to although sentence.
a. Despite being a cheap and efficient way of communicating, text messaging has had a negative
effect on people’s written language.
___________________________________________________________________________
b. Despite not passing the exam at the first attempt, John was still able to realise his dream of  
becoming an accountant.  
___________________________________________________________________________

16. Change the sentences so they start with in spite of + the fact that or in spite of +
verb+ing.
a. Even though world food production is at an all-time high, many developing countries still
struggle to feed their populations.
___________________________________________________________________________
b. Even though Jake didn’t have a clean driving license, he was given the job delivering pizza.
___________________________________________________________________________

17. Can you change this although sentence into a despite + verb+ing sentence?
Although most tourists travel to London because of the Royal Family, many British people would
like to become a republic.
o YES o NO

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 ANSWERS & COMMENTS

1. but Although and despite show contrast + surprise and while shows direct opposites
2. in spite of Like despite, in spite of is used to show “concession” (which is just contrast +
surprise)

3. whereas Like while and whilst, whereas is used to show direct opposition (like hot and cold)

4. a clause/sentence

5. a clause/sentence NEVER use a clause after despite or in spite of. The other 3 options are all GOOD!

6. Despite We have a verb+ing after the space, so we must use despite

7. Even though We have a clause after the space, so we must use even though

8. While The sentence includes the direct opposites “rising” and “dropping”, so we can use
while in this sentence. You could also use although

9. Although We have a sentence after the space, so we must use although

10. In spite of We have a noun after the space (recent efforts), so we must use In spite of
11. but We cannot use although or despite in this sentence because 1) there is no surprise
and 2) the grammar pattern is wrong for both words. There is no direct opposition so
while is also incorrect

12. Nevertheless Although cannot be used to join sentences. We cannot start an academic sentence
with but. However is OK here, but does not show “surprise”

13. Despite We have a verb+ing after the space, so we must use despite

14a. Despite being one of the largest producers of oil, Russia still imports petrol.

Don’t forget to put a proper noun in the 2nd clause (so change it to Russia)
14b. Despite its high sales, the company closed last week.

Despite high sales, the company closed last week.

Remember. If you choose to use despite + a noun, you MUST NOT have a verb after
the noun
15a. Although text messaging is a cheap and efficient way of communicating, it has had a negative
effect on people’s written language.

15b. Although John didn’t pass his exam at the first attempt, he was still able to realise his dream of
becoming an accountant.

We had “not passing” in the despite sentence, so we needed the negative “didn’t pass”
in the although sentence

16a. In spite of the fact that world food production is at an all-time high, many developing countries still
struggle to feed their populations.

The three magic words are always the easiest J

16b. In spite of not having a clean driving license, Jake was given the job delivering pizza.

We had “didn’t have” in the even though sentence, so we needed the negative “not
having” in the in spite of sentence. To make a negative verb+ing sentence, just add
not
17. NO We cannot use the despite + verb+ing grammar pattern here because the subject of the
first clause and the 2nd clause are different
If we used the despite + verb+ing grammar pattern, it sounds like British people travel to London, not tourists:

Despite travelling to London because of the Royal family, many British people would like the country to become
a republic
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