Linkers of contrast

© Cambridge University Press 2017

Linkers of Contrast
Linkers of Contrast
To contrast ideas and facts, we use the following linking words.
• Although
• Even though
• Despite
• In spite of
• However
• Nevertheless
Linkers of contrast

They went for a walk even though it was raining.

Despite being short, he’s really good at basketball.

It was a difficult exam. However, they passed.

although / even though
The linkers although and even though are followed by a clause. They can be
used at the beginning of a sentence or before the second clause.

My dad told me I had to get up.

I didn’t want to get up.
Although I didn’t want to get up, my dad told me I had to.
Even though I didn’t want to get up, my dad told me I had to.
I didn’t want to get up, although my dad told me I had to.
I didn’t want to get up, even though my dad told me I had to.
despite / in spite of
The linkers despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase
or a gerund. They can be used at the beginning of a sentence or
before the second clause.
I had studied hard for the test.
I failed the test.
I failed the test despite studying hard.
I failed the test in spite of studying hard.
Despite studying hard for the test, I failed.
In spite of studying hard for the test, I failed.
however / nevertheless
The linkers however and nevertheless come at the beginning of a
sentence and introduce a contrast with what was said in the previous
sentence. They are followed by a comma.

The training was difficult.

I really can’t cook. However, mum
Nevertheless, she worked
helped me and we made a nice meal.
really hard and is now a pilot.
GET IT RIGHT!

I looked back in his direction however, he had vanished.

I looked back in his direction. However, he had vanished.

I’m still hungry, in spite of I have just eaten dinner.
I’m still hungry, in spite of having just eaten dinner.
I’m still hungry, even though I have just eaten dinner. 
Although not feeling well, I went out.
Although I didn’t feel well, I went out.
Despite not feeling well, I went out.

Language in action

In September last year my mum did the Shine Marathon in

Even
Although
though she walked regularly, she hadn’t
London. ………….………
In spite of having a busy life,
Despite
walked that far before. ……………....
working and looking after me and my sister, my mum
trained for four months. She walked through the night and
Nevertheless,
However, she really
was really tired in the morning. …………….….…..
enjoyed the experience.
Exercise
• a Despite managed the finish having she to finger race broken
• Despite having a broken finger, she managed to finish the race.

• raining tennis at Even heavily, we went though park it was to play the.
• Even though it was raining heavily, we went to play tennis at the park.

• before met. had really Nevertheless on never, they They got well.
• They had never met before. Nevertheless, they got on really well.

• the was we Although meeting the late, arrived train at.

• Although the train was late, we arrived at the meeting.
 How many sentences can you make in 1
minute?

He’s got a lot of money. We went to see something else.

Although
My friend recommended a film. He dreads playing it!
Despite We walked around the forest all
We didn’t have much homework. In spite of afternoon.
My dad likes watching sport. However, He doesn’t like spending it.
They went on a few dates. Even though They aren’t going out with each
Nevertheless, other now.
The weather was bad.
We didn’t finish it.