i 06 Although, while, however, despite, etc. 1 We can contrast two ideas or situations within a sentence with although: Although the weather was very cold, we decided to go for a walk. The government passed the new law although many people opposed it. Informally we can use though in the same way: Though the weather was very cold, we decided to go for a walk. The government passed the new law though mary people opposed it. While is not possible here. 2 We can use while to contrast two aspects of the same thing or two similar things within a sentence: While I agree with the idea, I don't think it’s very practical. Some of my friends have found work while others are still unemployed. (Al)though is also possible here. 3 When the contrast is expressed in a separate sentence, we use however: The government passed the new law. However, many people were against it. Tagree with the idea. I don’t think it’s very practical, however. ‘We use a comma to separate however from the rest of the sentence. Though can also go at the end of a separate sentence: J agree with the idea. I don’t think it’s very practical, though. Although is not possible here. We can use prepositions in spite of and despite with a noun (but not usually a personal pronoun) to express concession or contrast: In spite of / Despite the cold weather, we decided to go for a walk. The government passed the new law in spite of / despite the opposition. If we use these prepositions with a clause, we have to include the fact that, e.g.: The government passed the new law in spite of / despite the fact that many people were against it A Ineach question, complete the second sentence (or pair of sentences) so that the meaning is the same as the first sentence (or pair of sentences). > Larry is older than Meg but she is taller than he is. Although, Lan ie older than Mea, she. je, taller than he is, 1 In spite ot the tact that it was dangerous, many people helped in the rescue. Many people helped in the rescue although , 2. Many people continue to smoke cigarettes although there Is a serious warning on every packet. the warning on every packet, many people continuc to smoke cigarettes. 3. There were several stronger teams but it was Greece that won the cup. Thore were several strongor teams. It was Greece that won the cup, 4 Although London is more expensive than the rest of Britain, many people prefer to live there. Many people prefer to live in London despite .. it is more expensive than the rest of Britain. PAGE 232 BUILDING SENTENCES.5 My work is interesting but itis not very well paid. While , . , itis not very well paid. 6 Although Amy complained about the exams, she got very good marks. ‘Amy complained about the exams. very good marks. , she got Complete this speech about drugs by putting in although, despite, however or while. In some cases there is more than one possibility. Ladies and gentlemen. Today | want to explain why | think drugs should be legalized. Many people think that all drugs are illegal. (>) . the legal situation is different in different countries. For example, (1)... coca leaves are legal in some parts of South America, they are banned in the USA and many other countries. But even in the USA and Europe, itis not true that all drugs are illegal. (2). . tobacco and alcohol are seriously addictive, they are a regular aspect of most social gatherings i in our countries. Not everybody who smokes tobacco or drinks alcohol is an addict, of course. Many regular smokers would like to cut down or stop. (3). . and in fact many have tried several times. (4). . their many attempts, they continue smoking, precisely because nicotine is 0 addictive. Anyway, what are the disadvantages of the illegal drugs remaining illegal? In the first place, illegality means that there is no quality control to protect the consumer, People think they are buying cocaine, for example, (5) the substance is perhaps mixed with dust or even poisonous powders. Also drugs on the street are fairly expensive so )ooccoecccseseeeserseees COMSUMEFS Might not have a job, they need their drugs and this quickly leads to stealing and prostitution in order to pay for them. Second, the drug industry generates ‘enormous quantities of money, enough money to corrupt many police officers and politicians. We like to think that our authorities control crime. The reality, (7)... «is that in some countries crime controls the authorities. Ladies and gentleman, (8) you may not like drugs, as long as drugs are illegal, they are outside democratic control. Later two people discuss the talk about drugs. Use each expression from the box. once only to complete the dialogue. although although = despite however _in spite of the fact that though Tony: What did you think of the talk? Pam: | don't agree with her (b) aithaual, .. [have to accept that her talk was clever, It's true that the present situation isn’t perfect. (1) . if they legalize drugs, things will be much worse. Tony: Oh, |! don't know. Society seems to manage all right with tobacco and alcohol ).. they're perfectly legal. Pam: You make it sound as if they're harmless. | think it's truer to say that society functions (3)... .. they're legal because they cause problems for a lot of people. Tony: A few people misuse them. Most people use them sensibly, (4) Pam: It doesn’t make sense to say that you can smoke sensibly. That's why there are health warnings on the packets. People are stupid enough to smoke (5) all the warnings. BUILDING SENTENCES * PAGE 233,