CAE 3 (OW) | U10p138: Contrast & Concession (Grammar Reference)

However is a more formal way to say but.

Which sentence is correct?

• I really wanted to go to the concert tonight. However, all the affordable tickets were sold out.

• I really wanted to go to the concert tonight however, all the affordable tickets were sold out.

• However I really wanted to go to the concert tonight, all the affordable tickets were sold out.

Use nevertheless to expresse the idea despite what has just been said.

Which sentence is correct?

• Nevertheless their team hadn’t lost a game the entire season, we beat them by a huge margin last night.

• Their team hadn’t lost a game the entire season. Nevertheless, we beat them by a huge margin last night.

Use whereas to introduce a conditional or qualifying statement.

Which sentence is correct?

• I like to swim, whereas it was raining yesterday.

• My best friend actually enjoys confrontation, whereas I prefer to take a back seat in any argument.

On the other hand is used to introduce the second of two contrasting points.

Which sentence is correct?

• The outside skin of this exotic fruit is a dirty brown colour and bitter; the heart, on the other hand, is creamy white and sweet.

• On the other hand, the outside skin of this exotic fruit is a dirty brown colour and bitter, the heart is creamy white and sweet.

Use on the one hand/on the other hand when you are comparing two different facts or two opposite ways of thinking about a situation.

• true

• false

although, even though and though: use these to express the idea regardless of the fact that.

Which sentence is INCORRECT?

• Although the workmen were drilling in the street, I dozed off.

• Even though it was snowing heavily, I didn't stay at home.

• Mark is a great singer. Although, he doesn't perform much.

• Though we waited for almost two hours on the hard shoulder next to the car, the breakdown service never turned up.

Both in spite of and despite mean the same thing and are used to express contrast.

Choose the pair of sentences that are grammatically correct.

• • Despite his efforts, he didn’t win the race.

  • ---

  • In spite of her fear of heights, she went skydiving.

• Despite of the cold weather, she went for a run.

  ---

  In spite of I was tired, I stayed up late.