Linking words of contrast

Examples

Watch the full video lesson here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX3jmU6pVoE

Example 1
Situation
 John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor.
 John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer.

Vocabulary
 have one’s mind set on sth= be determined to do or have sth
 make it big =become very successful

But
 John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor, but he had his mind set on making it big as a pop
singer.
Though/although/even though
1.
Although his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set on making it big as a
pop singer.

Common error alert!

 Although his parents wanted him to be a doctor, but John had his mind set on making it big as a
pop singer.
2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer although his parents wanted him to be a
doctor.

However
1.
John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor. However, he had his mind set on making it big as a
pop singer.
2.
 John’s parents wanted him to be a doctor. He, however, had his mind set on making it big as a
pop singer.

In spite of/despite
1.
Despite the fact that his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set on making it
big as a pop singer.
2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer, despite the fact that his parents wanted
him to be a doctor.
Example 2
Situation
 The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth.
 The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds.

But
 The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, but it can only run at top speed for about 30
seconds.
Though/although/even though
1.
 Although/Even though the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, it can only run at top
speed for about 30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, even though it is the fastest land
animal on earth.

However
 The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth. However, it can only run at top speed for about
30 seconds.

In spite of/despite
1.
 Despite being the fastest land animal on earth, the cheetah can only run at top speed for about
30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, despite being the fastest land
animal on earth.
Example 3
Situation
 I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere.
 I can’t find my glasses.

But
 I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere, but I can’t find them.

Though/although/even though
1.
Though I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere, I can’t find them.
2.
I can’t find my glasses though I’ve looked everywhere.

However
1. I’ve looked for my glasses everywhere.However, I can’t find them.
In spite of/despite
1.
Despite having looked for my glasses everywhere, I can’t find them.
2.
I can’t find my glasses despite having looked everywhere.
Example 4
Situation
 There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.
 Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.

Vocabulary
 proliferation =a great increase in the number or amount of sth
 on the rise = increasing

Although/even though
 Although there is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers, research shows that
sales of print books are actually on the rise.
However
 There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers. However, research shows
that sales of print books are actually on the rise.
In spite of/despite
1.
 Research shows that despite the proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers, sales of
print books are actually on the rise.
2.
Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise, despite the proliferation of
mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.
Example 5
Situation
 There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory.
 The management has yet to introduce any new safety measures.

Vocabulary
 a slew of=a large number or amount ofsth (ex: accidents, problems, features, comments)

But
 There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, but the management has yet to
introduce any new safety measures.
Although/even though
1.
Although there have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management has yet to
introduce any new safety measures.
2.
The management has yet to introduce any new safety measuresin the factory even though
there have been a slew of recent accidents there.

However
 There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. However,the management has yet
to introduce any new safety measures in the factory.
In spite of/despite
1.
Despite a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management has yet to introduce any new
safety measures.
2.
 There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. Despite this, the management has
yet to introduce any new safety measures.
Example 6
Situation
 Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs.
 Few are prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen
challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.

Vocabulary
 entrepreneur=a person who starts his or her own business
 myriad= a great number of sth (ex: ways, reasons, issues, benefits, opportunities)
 unforeseen = not expected or predicted (ex: circustances, consequences, delays, costs)
 part and parcel = included in sth, cannot be separated from sth

But
 Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, but few are prepared for
the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
Although/even though
1.
Although many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, few are prepared
for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, although few are prepared
for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges that are part
and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.

However
1.
 Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. However, few are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges
that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. Few, however, are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen challenges
that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.