| CONTRAST |
|---|
When we have two statements (independent clauses) in which the central ideas are closely related, we can express contrast in the relationship of the two ideas with but, however, while, whereas, and so on. |
| BUT / HOWEVER |
He asked for another cup of coffee, but there was no more. ¹(But there was no more.) He asks for some and finds out there is no more. |
|
He asked for another cup of coffee; however, there was no more. However is more commonly used in writing. |
| CONTRARY OUTCOME |
|---|
We express another kind of contrast —contrary outcome— when the idea stated in one clause is contrary (i.e., illogical, irrational) to expectation, opinion, or action in the other clause. but still, yet, though, although, even though. |
| BUT STILL / THOUGH |
There was no more coffee, but still he asked for another cup. He knows there is no more coffee and asks for more. Why would he ask for more? |
|
He asked for another cup of coffee though there was no more. though, even though, although – adverbs of concession |
contrast (n.) – a difference, an unlikeness in comparison with something else
¹But – beginning a sentence indicates a stronger contrast
Also see But / though for implied meanings .
See Grammar Notes for terminology.
| STATEMENT | CONTRAST |
|---|---|
While, whereas, or but may be placed between two clauses. A comma separates the clauses. (medial position) |
|
| CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + CLAUSE |
I like sugar in my coffee, |
while Edward likes black coffee. |
I like sugar in my coffee, |
whereas Edward likes black coffee. |
I like sugar in my coffee, |
but Edward likes black coffee. |
| CONTRAST | STATEMENT |
|---|---|
While or whereas may also be placed before the two clauses (not but.) A comma separates the clauses. (initial position) |
|
| CONNECTOR + CLAUSE | CLAUSE |
While I like sugar in my coffee, |
Edward likes black coffee. |
Whereas I like sugar in my coffee, |
Edward likes black coffee. |
*But I like sugar in my coffee, |
Edward likes black coffee. |
black coffee – has no sugar
See FANBOYS coordinators
for "fronting" and "reversibility"
| STATEMENT | CONTRAST |
|---|---|
However and in contrast introduces a clause with a contrasting idea. It is placed at the beginning of the contrasting clause and is separated with a comma. |
|
| CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + CLAUSE |
I like sugar in my coffee. |
In contrast, Edward likes black coffee. |
Edward likes black coffee. |
In contrast, I like sugar in my coffee. |
I like sugar in my coffee. |
However, Edward likes black coffee. |
Edward likes black coffee.
|
However, I like sugar in my coffee. |
| STATEMENT | CONTRAST |
|---|---|
In contrast to contrasts elements within a clause. It is followed by a noun phrase (NP) or gerund clause. No comma is used. |
|
| CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + CLAUSE |
I like sugar in my coffee |
in contrast to Edward who likes black coffee. |
I like sugar in my coffee |
in contrast to honey in my coffee. |
I like sugar in my coffee |
in contrast to my tea. |
I like drinking my tea slowly |
in contrast to gulping it down. |
| STATEMENT | |
|---|---|
On the one hand, introduces a clause with an idea. And on the other hand introduces a clause with a contrasting idea. |
|
| PREP PHRASE | CLAUSE |
On the one hand, |
I like sugar in my coffee. |
On the one hand, |
Edward likes black coffee. |
| CONTRAST | |
|---|---|
A contrast may use on the other hand alone (without the "other hand".) In the expression (on the one hand…on the other hand), the clauses are reversible. |
|
| PREP PHRASE | CLAUSE |
On the other hand, |
Edward likes black coffee. |
On the other hand, |
I like sugar in my coffee. |
Also see Linking Adverbs Comparisons
| OPINION, BELIEF | CONCESSION |
|---|---|
After a statement of opinion, belief, or argument, but…still, yet, or but…anyway introduces a clause with a meaning that gives way a point, or fact in the argument. The coordinator is placed between the two clauses, separated by a comma. |
|
| CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + CLAUSE |
He's vegetarian, |
but still he eats eggs occasionally. |
I mostly tell the truth, |
yet sometimes I tell a white lie. |
She doesn't believe in Santa Claus, |
but she writes to him each December anyway. |
| ACTION | CONTRARY OUTCOME |
|---|---|
After a statement factt, but…still, yet, or but…anyway introduces a clause with an act that is unexpected, surprising, or contrary to expectation (illogical). The coordinator is placed between the two clauses, separated by a comma. |
|
| CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + CLAUSE |
She broke three toes, |
but still she went dancing. |
He grew up in the U.S, |
yet he doesn't speak English. |
She was only sixteen, |
but she won three gold medals anyway. |
give way (verbal phrase) – yield, admit, concede, give in
concession (n.) – a give way, or give in on a point or fact in an argument; X is true, but maybe not this.)
See Grammar Notes for terminology.
| SITUAITION | CONTRARY OUTCOME |
|---|---|
|
|
| CONNNECTOR + CLAUSE | CLAUSE |
Though I shouldn't eat sugar, |
I eat a lot of foods with sugar in them. |
Although I shouldn't eat sugar, |
I do (eat sugar). |
Even though I shouldn't eat sugar, |
I put a little sugar in my tea. |
| CONTRARY OUTCOME | SITUATION |
|---|---|
|
|
| OUTCOME | CONNNECTORSITUATION |
I eat a lot of foods with sugar in them |
though I shouldn't eat sugar. |
I do eat sugar |
although I shouldn't eat sugar. |
I put a little sugar in my tea |
even though I shouldn't eat sugar. |
| OPINION / BELIEF / ACTION | CONTRARY OUTCOME |
|---|---|
Even so or nevertheless links the clause it introduces to the clause before it. The connector is separated by a comma from the clause it introduces. |
|
| CLAUSEE | CONNECTIVE ADV + CLAUSE |
He's vegetarian. |
Even so, he eats fish. |
She broke her toe. |
Nevertheless, she went back on stage and danced. |
They said they were too busy to go. |
Nonetheless, they went. |
| OPINION / BELIEF / ACTION | CONTRARY OUTCOME |
|---|---|
Despite, regardless, and in spite of are placed before a noun phrase or gerund expressing an opinion, belief or action. The clause expresses contrary outcome. |
|
| CONNECTIVE PREP + NP | CLAUSE |
Despite being vegetarian, |
he eats fish. |
Regardless of her broken toe, |
she went dancing.
|
In spite of saying they were too busy to go, |
they went.
|
nevertheless – 1250–1300; Middle English; replacing natheles, notheles natheless
Also see: Because/Though | Adverbial Prepositions
Advanced
| TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR | LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| CONTRASTIVE | |
but while, whereas however, on the other hand |
while, whereas, but however in contrast, in contrast to, on the one hand, on the other hand
|
| CONTRARY / CONCESSIVE | |
but…anyway, but…still, yet…still– though, even though, although– nevertheless, nonetheless, however…still despite, in spite of, despite the fact that, in spite of the fact that |
yet, but…still, but anyway though, even though, although even so, nevertheless, nonetheless, despite, regardless of, in spite of |
