Meaning: Introduces a contrast or opposing idea.
Beginning: Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
Middle: We went for a walk although it was raining.
Meaning: Joins two contrasting ideas, typically in informal contexts.
Beginning: But I didn’t like the movie.
Middle: I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired.
Meaning: Shows contrast despite a circumstance.
Beginning: Despite the cold weather, they went hiking.
Middle: They went hiking, despite the cold weather.
Meaning: Used for contrasting two clauses, emphasizing the contradiction.
Beginning: Despite the fact that she studied hard, she didn’t pass the exam.
Middle: She didn’t pass the exam, despite the fact that she studied hard.
Meaning: Similar to "although," but more emphatic.
Beginning: Even though he was tired, he finished the project.
Middle: He finished the project even though he was tired.
Meaning: Shows a strong contrast, often used in formal writing.
Beginning: However, the solution is not perfect.
Middle: The product is affordable. However, it lacks durability.
After semicolon: The movie was great; however, it was too long.
Meaning: Introduces a contrast despite a condition.
Beginning: In spite of his injury, he finished the race.
Middle: He finished the race, in spite of his injury.
Meaning: Similar to "despite the fact that," emphasizing a contradiction.
Beginning: In spite of the fact that it was raining, they continued playing.
Middle: They continued playing in spite of the fact that it was raining.
Meaning: Adds a contrasting point or emphasizes that something happened despite a previous issue.
Beginning: The task was difficult. Nevertheless, they managed to complete it.
Middle: The task was difficult; nevertheless, they completed it on time.
Meaning: Used to introduce a contrasting point or perspective.
Beginning: He is very strict. On the other hand, he’s fair.
Middle: The proposal has some advantages. On the other hand, it could be risky.
Summary of Positions:
Beginning: Although, but, despite, despite the fact that, even though, however, in spite of, in spite of the fact that, nevertheless, on the other hand.
Middle: Although, but, despite, despite the fact that, even though, however, in spite of, in spite of the fact that, nevertheless, on the other hand.
BUT, ALTHOUGH, HOWEVER, ON THE ONE HAND…ON THE OTHER HAND, UNLIKE
But (pero) and although (aunque) express contrast within a sentence.
- It was raining heavily, but the kids stayed in the playground.
- The kids stayed in the playground although it was raining heavily.
- Although it was raining heavily, the kids stayed in the playground
However (sin embargo) and on the other hand (por otra parte) express contrast between two different sentences. They are followed by a comma.
- The traffic was really bad; however, we were not late.
- I want to go to Scotland; on the other hand, I know I’ll miss you a lot
Unlike (al contrario de) is a preposition and it’s followed by a noun, noun phrase or pronoun.
- Unlike my brother, I like art.
- Unlike Phil, Paul has a talent for business
PRACTICE.
1. EXPRESS CONTRAST BY USING THE WORDS GIVEN
1.- I must learn English to get a good job / I don’t like foreign languages
o (but) ________________________________________________________________________________
o (however) ____________________________________________________________________________
o ( on the other hand) ______________________________________________________________________
o (although) _____________________________________________________________________________
2.- Youth hostels are cheap / They are usually noisy and crowded
o (but) __________________________________________________________________________________
o (however) ______________________________________________________________________________
o ( on the other hand) ______________________________________________________________________
o (although) ______________________________________________________________________________
2. WRITE SENTENCES BY USING UNLIKE.
o - I love discos, but Mike doesn’t . à Unlike Mike, I love discos
o - Marta can cook very well, but my father can’t. à ______________________________________________
o - Ruben is very good at sports; however Marcos isn’t à __________________________________________
o - I am not ticklish; however, Charlie is. à ______________________________________________________
o - My parents got divorced. Susan’s parents didn’t. à ____________________________________________
3. LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE (mirando el lado bueno): As they say, every cloud has a silver lining (no hay mal que por bien no venga). Write sentences by using the words in brackets .
1. I earn very little. I love my job. (but) __________________________________________________
2. Sarah is very shy. She is sweet and a good friend (on the other hand). ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Learning a foreign language is hard. It is rewarding in the end (although)
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. I hate rainy days. I know water is necessary for us and the environment. (however)
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. I’m tired of trying over and over again. I’m sure persistence pays off.
o (although) ___________________________________________________________________________
o (however) ___________________________________________________________________________
o ( on the other hand) ___________________________________________________________________
4. TRANSLATE INTO ENGLISH.
1. Aunque mi casa está lejos de la ciudad, yo me siento muy a gusto en ella.
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Al contrario que mis amigos, a mí me gusta pasear y leer poesía.
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Tengo ganas de ir al extranjero, pero por otra parte, tengo miedo de no entender a la gente ____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Ramón es muy inteligente; sin embargo, es muy vago.
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. No iré a la fiesta aunque insistas.
__________________________________________________________________________________
6. Al contrario de mucha gente, yo no me enfado si no me llaman en mi cumpleaños
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Me encanta jugar al fútbol, pero por otra parte, nunca estoy en el primer equipo
____________________________________________________________________________________
8. Nunca he sido una persona celosa; sin embargo tú te pones celosa cada vez que una chica me habla ____________________________________________________________________________________
9. Tú me escuchas siempre y, sin embargo, nunca me entiendes.
____________________________________________________________________________________
10. Aunque me encantan la gente famosa, nunca me casaría con uno de ellos. ____________________________________________________________________________________