Contrast and Concessions

Comparisons & Contradictions

by Ack Ack

​Signaling a contrast or difference

​WE can use transition words to show a contrast or difference between ideas.

• ​yet/but/whereas

• ​On the contrary,

• ​Even though (although, though)

• ​However,

​Yet / But

​The grey squirrel can live in the city, yet the red squirrel can only live in nature.

​

​The Tiger shark isn't endangered, but the whale shark is protected.

Even though...​

​Goes before a statement of fact. The second statement contradicts what you think and can be surprising.

​

​Even though John is rich, he lives in a small house.

(John is rich, but despite having money he lives in a small house.)

​

​Even though she likes animals, Mary doesn't want a dog.

(Mary likes animals, but in spite of that she doesn't want a dog.)

​

​Even though the building was damaged, business went on as usual.

(The building was damaged, but despite that business went on as usual.)

​

​Even though I washed it several times, I couldn't get rid of the stain.

(I couldn't get rid of the stain despite washing it several times.)

Multiple Choice

Where would you put 'even though'?

__(1)__ it was raining, __2__ we went to the park.

• 1

• 2

Multiple Choice

Where would you put 'even though'?

__(1)__ I bought the watch __2__ it was very expensive.

• 1

• 2

Fill in the Blanks

Write a sentence with 'even though'

Ann is a vegetarian.

Ann sometimes eats fish.

(remember to replace Ann with 'she')

​On the contrary, (the opposite is true)

• Use on the contrary to show that a previously-stated or implied idea is incorrect.

• ​Not all vegetarians don't eat meat. On the contrary, some vegetarians eat fish.

• ​People think I support the England football team because I am English. On the contrary, I support Scotland because my mother was Scottish.

Multiple Choice

The media thought Liverpool would lose the game. _______ , they won five nil.

• Even though

• On the contrary

Multiple Choice

_____ the exam was very tough, we all passed it.

• Even though

• Yet

• On the contrary

Multiple Select

The exam was very tough, ___ we all passed it.

• Even though

• yet

• On the contrary

• but

Multiple Choice

We thought we hadn't passed the test. _____ , we all passed.

• Even though

• yet

• On the contrary

​However (comparison)

• ​However is used to show comparison with the sentence before.

• ​The red squirrel can only live in a natural environment; however ,the grey squirrel can live in both countryside and and urban areas.

• ​

• ​I wanted to buy a BMW; however, all I could afford was a Nissan.

Multiple Choice

Sports car are usually very fast. _____, they are usually pretty expensive.

• On the contrary

• However

Multiple Choice

People think all vegetarian food is tasteless. _____, a lot of it tastes really delicious.

• On the contrary

• Even though

​Punctuation...when to use however or yet/but

• ​However.

  • Links 2 sentences.

  • Either full stop (.) or semi-colon (;) before

  • ​Comma after.

  • ​The animals work long hours and sleep a little. However, their hard work is not rewarded.

  • ​or

  • The animals work long hours and sleep a little; however, their hard work is not rewarded.​

​Yet/ But

​Combines two clauses to show a contrast.

​They work long hours. They get no reward.

​Either one sentence, joined with a comma.

​

​They work long hours, yet they get no reward.

​

​Or two sentences separated by a comma.

​

​They work long hours. Yet they get no reward.

​Ex 6 Page 20 - Listening & Speaking