Level I: Building my Identity

Unit 3: How do they live?

GRAMMAR GUIDE

Connectors of Addition and Contrast

 We can join two or more sentences to express similarities and differences, we use connectors to
do that.
 We have connectors of addition (to express similarities) and connectors of contrast (to
express differences)

1. Their team has got the best players. Moreover, their coach is fantastic.
2. Their team has got the best players. Nevertheless, they lost the last game.
CONNECTORS OF ADDITION: in addition, furthermore, moreover, besides,
as well as, also, and
CONNECTORS OF CONTRAST: however, nevertheless, on the contrary / on the one hand /
on the other hand, in spite of / despite, although /even though, but/though

1. Choose the correct connector:

1. María seems to be quite clever. Nevertheless/ Furthermore, she often gets low
marks.
2. The service at this restaurant is excellent. However/In addition, the food is

delicious.

3. I've never been to Argentina, as well as / despite having relatives there.

4. Jaume is a careful driver. Moreover / However, he’s had several accidents.

5. Lucía loves playing sport and / but she’s not very good at it.

6. Edu is talented at music as well as / in spite of art.

 Some connectors have got similar meanings but are followed by different structures.
 Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun, pronoun or a gerund.

We do not wear coats despite the cold weather.

I tried to look happy in spite of feeling terrible.

 Even though and although are followed by a subject and a verb.

My car constantly needs repairs even though it’s new.

My cousin and I aren’t very close, although we’re the same age.

2. Write the correct connector.

1. We're studying now _______________there's an interesting film on TV.

2. I’d like to talk to you _______________  I know you’re busy.

3. ______________  her efforts, she failed the exam.

4. _______________we were having difficulties, we felt optimistic.

5. We didn’t win the game _______________ all all our hard work.

 Connectors are usually written in specific places in a sentence:

- At the beginning of a sentence: In addition, Furthermore, Moreover, However,

Nevertheless, On the  one hand, On the  other  hand.
- Either at the beginning or in the middle: despite, in spite of, although, even though
- Only in the middle of a sentence: and, but, also, as well as

Rewrite the following sentences using the connector in brackets, do not forget to take out the
underlined connectors.

1. Laura apologised several times. Nevertheless, Alvaro wouldn’t speak to her. (but)

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2. We decided to walk even though it was raining. (in spite of)

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3. Javi works very hard to help his parents. He’s also a good student. (In addition)
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4. I’m keen on Ice cream. In addition, I’m keen on chocolate. (as well as)

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5. You’re late again. Furthermore, you haven’t brought your books. (and)

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6. On the one hand, I’d love to come. On the other hand, I really haven’t got the time. (However)

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7. Rome is a great place to visit, but it has got terrible traffic problems. (despite)

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BUT and THOUGH have the same meaning, both are connector of contrast
(differences), use BUT to join two sentences and use THOUGH at the end of
sentence. The meaning is pretty the same.

Ex:

My brother is not tall BUT he is kind Translate

these
My brother is not tall, he is kind THOUGH phrases to
English. Do
two versions
of each sentence, one using but and another using though.

1. Ana es simpática, pero no me gusta su marido.

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2. Hablamos por teléfono todos los días, pero nunca nos vemos.
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3. No tengo un billete de 5 euros, pero tengo uno de 10.
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4. No conozco a su hermano, pero conozco a su hermana.
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5. No está nevando, pero sí hace frío.
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Translate these phrases into English. Do two sentences for each phrase; one using in spite
of/despite + sustantivo, and other with although/even though + sujeto + verbo.
6. A pesar de sus problemas era una buena madre.
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7. Concilio el sueño pronto a pesar del ruido.
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8. A pesar de nuestras diferencias nos llevamos bien.
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9. A pesar del tráfico llegamos a tiempo.
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