Language for contrast part 1

Language for contrast part 1

In this lesson, you will review and learn several structures for contrast.

1. Review- comparative adjectives

2. Review- but

3. While, whereas

Think about the following pairs of subjects. How are they different?

• Strawberries and bananas

• Winter and summer

• Sunny days and rainy days

Comparative adjectives

You can talk about the differences between 2 subjects using comparative adjectives.

1 syllable adjectives--> Strawberries are smaller than bananas.

2 syllable adjectives ending in y--> Strawberries are tastier than bananas.

2+ syllable adjectives--> Strawberries are more versatile than bananas

*It's possible to replace 'more' with 'less'.

Multiple Choice

Check your understanding. Choose the best word to complete this sentence: Winter is ____ summer.

• more cold than

• colder than

• more colder

• colder

Multiple Choice

Winter is ____ summer

• less comfortable than

• less comfort

• less than

• less comforter

Multiple Choice

Winter in Canada has ________ summer.

• interestinger activities than

• interestinger activities

• more interesting activities than

• interesting activities than

But

'but' is a coordinating conjunction used to show contrast. It must have a comma before if it is joining two independent clauses.

-Winter is cold, but summer is hot.

-You can go skiing in the winter, but you can only go swimming outdoors in the summer.

Multiple Choice

Check your understanding. Are the following sentences correct or incorrect? Strawberries are delicious, but bananas are disgusting.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Strawberries grow on a bush but bananas grow on a tree.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Bananas are grown in tropic climates. But strawberries can grow in cooler regions.

• Correct

• Incorrect

While and Whereas

'While' and 'whereas' are subordinating conjunctions. They are used to show direct contrast (opposites).

These begin a dependent clause and must be connected to an independent clause.

Note that unlike most complex sentences, whereas and while for comparisons always need a comma.

-Sunny days give me energy, whereas rainy days make me feel tired.

-Sunny days are good for outdoor activities, while rainy days are good for indoor activities.

-While I like to read on rainy days, I prefer to hike on sunny ones.

Multiple Choice

Check your understanding. Are the following sentences correct or incorrect?

I walk to school on sunny days. While I take the bus when it rains.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Whereas my umbrella is old, my sunglasses are new.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

It is hot whereas it is raining outside.

• Correct

• Incorrect