Using linking words to show contrast

(Download this explanation in PDF here.)

Read about linking words of reason (because, since, due to ...) here.

We use linking words to join ideas together when we're talking or writing. Sometimes
we want to link two ideas that are different from each other (for example, one is a
positive idea and one is a negative idea) or we want to link one idea to another one
which is surprising or unexpected. We can use linking words like 'however',
'although' and 'despite' to do this.

Although
We can use 'although' at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. It is used in
front of a clause (a clause has at least a subject and a verb that agrees with the
subject).

Although the weather is bad, I love London.

I love London, although the weather is bad.

Despite / in spite of
We use 'despite' or 'in spite of' before a noun or a gerund. It can also go in the middle
or at the beginning of a sentence. 'Despite' and 'in spite of' mean exactly the same
thing. You can choose whichever one you like! If you want to use 'despite' or 'in spite
of' before a clause, you need to add 'the fact that'.

I love London despite the bad weather.

I love London in spite of the bad weather.
Despite the bad weather, I love London.
In spite of the bad weather, I love London.

Despite the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.

In spite of the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
I love London despite the fact that the weather is bad.
I love London in spite of the fact that the weather is bad.

However
We use 'although' and 'despite / in spite of' to connect two clauses in the same
sentence. On the other hand, 'however' isn't used to connect two clauses. Instead, we
usually put the two ideas in two separate sentences. We put 'however' in the second
sentence, and we can put it at the beginning, at the end, or after the subject.

I love London. However, the weather is bad.

I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
I love London. The weather is bad, however.

 Otherwise unless in addition in
fact Moreover although hence whereas
Furthermore despite therefore instead
nonetheless however

1. She got the job _______________ the fact that she had very little experience.

2. My sister's hand-writing is always so neat, _______________ mine is a total mess.

3. I lost the game, but I told myself that I had improved a lot _______________.

4. You'd better wear a helmet when you go roller-blading. _______________, you could
hurt yourself.

5. Reading is an excellent way to increase your vocabulary. _______________, it can also

help you improve your grammar.

6. The student's essay was badly written. _______________, it was too short.

7. Wine will spoil if exposed to light; _______________, wine bottles are usually green or
yellow.

8. Alcohol can delay your reaction times; _______________, you should never drink and
drive.
9. _______________ we have talked about the dangers of smoking to the students before,
I think the information bears being repeated.

10. Our prime minister is an incompetent leader. ____________, his government is

financially irresponsible.

11. In March of 1999, more than 130 nations signed a United Nations Treaty banning land
mines; ____________, the United States, Russia and China did not sign.

12. He was an absolute failure in medical school, so he decided to try law ____________.

13. Margaret Mead once observed, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. ____________, it's the only thing that ever has."

14. You are not eligible for a subsidized bus pass ____________ you are a full-time student.

1. Eating well is important for good health. _______________, it helps to make you more
attractive.

2. The apartment is very pretty and, _______________, the rent is quite low.

3. Research has shown that bright yellow and bright blue are the most visible, and
_______________ safest, colours for cars.
4. Our production costs have increased, _______________ our prices have gone up as well.

5. You'd better work on improving your pronunciation; _______________, you'll fail the
speaking test.

6. She has decided to stay with her husband _______________ the fact he cheated on her
with her best friend.

7. I'm not really interested in history, but the lecture was quite interesting
_______________.

8. _______________ most substances shrink when they are cooled, water actually
expands.

9. ____________ each individual is unique, members of the same species share certain
obvious common features.

10. No, I don't want to go to dinner with you. ____________, I'd like you to stop asking me
out, because I'm really not interested.

11. There is no wind on the moon, so ____________ someone disturbs them, an

astronaut's footprints will last forever!

12. A snake has no ears; ____________, its tongue is extremely sensitive to sound
vibrations.
13. I tried to phone you, but I dialed the wrong area code, and got someone living in Louisiana
____________.

14. He was weakened by the disease, and ____________ vulnerable to infection.

1. I haven't really studied for this exam, ________ I feel a little nervous.
so
unless
but

2. I told him not to come, ________ he came anyway.

since
unless
but

3. Do not do anything ________ you hear from him first.

unless
since
therefore

4. ________ I was really tired, I took a nap for 15 minutes.

Although
Since
Unless

5. ________ she likes to play basketball, her favorite sport is tennis.

While
Because
Since

6. ________ it was really hot outside, I wore shorts.

Although
Since
Unless

7. He has always done well on exams. This time, ________, he failed.

however
accordingly
moreover

8. I won't be able to borrow any more money ________ I pay off some of my previous
debts.
but
until
although

9. ________ he wasn't a good player, he had a great game.

Since
Because
 Although

10. The little girl slept ________ her father played the guitar.
while
therefore
until