Linking words of contrast

Examples
Example 1
Situation
? John�s parents wanted him to be a doctor.
? John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer.
Vocabulary
? have one�s mind set on sth = be determined to do or have sth
? make it big = become very successful
But
� John�s parents wanted him to be a doctor, but he had his mind set on making
it big as a pop singer.
Though/although/even though
1.
Although his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set on making it
big as a pop singer.
Common error alert!
? Although his parents wanted him to be a doctor, but John had his mind set on
making it big as a pop singer.
2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer although his parents wanted
him to be a doctor.
However
1.
John�s parents wanted him to be a doctor. However, he had his mind set on making it
big as a pop singer.
2.
? John�s parents wanted him to be a doctor. He, however, had his mind set on
making it big as a pop singer.
In spite of/despite
1.
Despite the fact that his parents wanted him to be a doctor, John had his mind set
on making it big as a pop singer.
2.
John had his mind set on making it big as a pop singer, despite the fact that his
parents wanted him to be a doctor.

Example 2
Situation
? The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth.
? The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds.
But
� The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, but it can only run at top
speed for about 30 seconds.
Though/although/even though
1.
? Although/Even though the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, it can
only run at top speed for about 30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, even though it is the
fastest land animal on earth.
However
? The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth. However, it can only run at
top speed for about 30 seconds.
In spite of/despite
1.
? Despite being the fastest land animal on earth, the cheetah can only run at
top speed for about 30 seconds.
2.
The cheetah can only run at top speed for about 30 seconds, despite being the
fastest land animal on earth.

Example 3
Situation
? I�ve looked for my glasses everywhere.
? I can�t find my glasses.
But
? I�ve looked for my glasses everywhere, but I can�t find them.
Though/although/even though
1.
Though I�ve looked for my glasses everywhere, I can�t find them.
2.
I can�t find my glasses though I�ve looked everywhere.
However
1. I�ve looked for my glasses everywhere. However, I can�t find them.
In spite of/despite
1.
Despite having looked for my glasses everywhere, I can�t find them.
2.
I can�t find my glasses despite having looked everywhere.

Example 4
Situation
? There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.
? Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.
Vocabulary
? proliferation = a great increase in the number or amount of sth
? on the rise = increasing
Although/even though
� Although there is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers,
research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.
However
� There is a proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers. However,
research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise.
In spite of/despite
1.
? Research shows that despite the proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and
e-readers, sales of print books are actually on the rise.
2.
Research shows that sales of print books are actually on the rise, despite the
proliferation of mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.

Example 5
Situation
? There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory.
? The management has yet to introduce any new safety measures.
Vocabulary
? a slew of = a large number or amount of sth (ex: accidents, problems,
features, comments)
But
� There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, but the management
has yet to introduce any new safety measures.
Although/even though
1.
Although there have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management
has yet to introduce any new safety measures.
2.
The management has yet to introduce any new safety measures in the factory even
though there have been a slew of recent accidents there.
However
� There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. However, the
management has yet to introduce any new safety measures in the factory.
In spite of/despite
1.
Despite a slew of recent accidents in the factory, the management has yet to
introduce any new safety measures.
2.
? There have been a slew of recent accidents in the factory. Despite this, the
management has yet to introduce any new safety measures.

Example 6
Situation
? Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs.
? Few are prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the
myriad unforeseen challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed
lifestyle.
Vocabulary
? entrepreneur = a person who starts his or her own business
? myriad = a great number of sth (ex: ways, reasons, issues, benefits,
opportunities)
? unforeseen = not expected or predicted (ex: circustances, consequences,
delays, costs)
? part and parcel = included in sth, cannot be separated from sth
But
� Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, but few are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen
challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
Although/even though
1.
Although many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, few are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen
challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs, although few are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen
challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
However
1.
? Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. However, few
are prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad
unforeseen challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.
2.
Many young people have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs. Few, however, are
prepared for the long hours, the financial uncertainty, and the myriad unforeseen
challenges that are part and parcel of the self-employed lifestyle.