Introduction:
You use contrast clauses when you want to make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it appear unexpected or surprising. Some contrast clauses – called concessive clauses – are introduced by conjunctions such as
although,
even though or
while.
Although Mrs. Sims had lived in Hong Kong all her life, she knew very little Cantonese.
While the number of families with access to the Internet and cable television has risen sharply in the past decade, what tends to be overlooked is that a significant proportion of households are unable to afford the fees for these services.
Don’t use
but in sentences beginning with
although,
even though or
while. Here is a common mistake:
Although Kelvin worked hard, but he failed the examination.
You can leave out the subject and the verb
be in a contrast clause when the subject of the contrast clause and the main clause are the same (e.g.
he was in the following sentence).
Though /
Although [he was] hard working, Kelvin failed the examination.
You will sometimes see the word
albeit used in formal English.
Albeit can come before an adjective, adverb, or adverbial phrase. In the sentence below, ‘albeit rather reluctantly’ means ‘even though she did so rather reluctantly’.
Jayne participated in the charity walk,
albeit rather reluctantly.
You can also use
despite or
in spite of to make a contrast. These are followed by either a noun phrase or an ‘ing’ form.
Despite working hard, Kelvin failed the examination.
In spite of his hard work, Kelvin failed the examination.
This sentence is incorrect:
Despite he worked hard, Kelvin failed the examination.
If you want to follow
despite or
in spite of with a clause you must add
the fact that.
Despite the fact that he worked hard, Kelvin failed the examination.
The word
yet has many meanings. One of these is a similar meaning to
but, although it expresses more surprise about something unexpected. It can come between adjectives, adverbs or clauses. For example:
He was poor
yet generous.
He worked slowly
yet effectively.
He loved animals,
yet he hated snakes.
