Clauses of contrast are introduced by various linkers: but, although, however, in spite of,

despite
“She was tired but she offered to help me.”
“Although she was tired, she offered to help me.”
We use in spite of and despite before a noun or the –ing form of the verb.
“In spite of being tired, she offered to help me.”
“Despite being tired, she offered to help me.”
“In spite of/Despite her tiredness, she offered to help me.”

A) Choose the correct alternative:

1. I invited Lucy to the party, but/on the other hand she didn’t come.
2. Although/ But I have a passport, I’ve never been abroad.
3. It’s going to be cold tomorrow. However, / Although it will be warmer at the weekend.
4. There aren’t any good camp sites near here. But/ On the other hand, there are a lot of
good hotels.
5. These boots are gorgeous. They are, however/ although, very expensive.

B) Complete the sentences with the words in the list:

in spite of – on the other hand – although – despite – but -

however
1. ___________ he played well, he lost the match.
2. __________ being small, Emma is very strong.
3. On the one hand you could buy the book. ____________, you could get it from the
library.
4. __________ I hurt my leg, I played.
5. Lola plays well ____________ the fact that she never practises.
6. I’ve played in a lot of matches, ____________ this time I feel anxious.
7. Hassan hits the ball hard. ___________, he doesn’t have much control.

C) Join the sentences using linkers of contrast and the correct punctuation:
1. I didn’t sleep well. I feel fine. (Although)
_____________________________________________________
2. They are rich. They aren’t happy. (Despite)
_____________________________________________________
3. I’ve got new boots. I prefer my old ones. (But)
_____________________________________________________
4. It wasn’t windy. We went sailing. (Although)
_____________________________________________________
5. He works hard. He doesn’t earn much money. (In spite of)
_____________________________________________________
6. My mum won’t admit it. She loves football. (But)
_____________________________________________________
7. Max won the match. He felt miserable. (Despite)
_____________________________________________________
8. They are brother and sister. They don’t look alike. (However)
_____________________________________________________
9. Peter had a cold. He went swimming. (In spite of)
_____________________________________________________
10. Paul isn’t fat. He eats a lot. (In spite of)
_____________________________________________________

Neus Ferrís & Patricio García