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 PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

• Connect Summary
• Conn Diagnostic
• FANBOYS
• And / In addition
• And so / too
• Too / Either
• Both...and
• But / But still
• But not / Except
• But/ Though
• Rather than
• Because / of
• Because of / By
• Cause / Effect
• Because/ Though
• Cause-Effect Rev
• Because Clauses
• So/Such that
• So Phrases
• After / Before
• When / While
• By the time
• Time-related Clauses
• Indeed / Even
• Connector Review
• Connector Edit
• Connector Paragr
• Parallel Phrasing
• Sentence Editing
• Related pages...

• On this page:
• But/But still
• Contrast
• Contrary Outcome
• Punctuation
• Practice 1
• Practice 2
• Practice 3

But / But still

Stating contrast or contrary outcome

 

 

 

 

 

Contrast vs. Contrary Outcome

CONTRAST	CONTRARY OUTCOME
But is a connector that introduces a clause with an idea, opinion or action that is different from the other clause.  It indicates a contrast.	But still is a connector that introduces a clause with an idea, opinion or action that is contrary to the idea, opinion or action in the other clause.  The outcome is contrary (i.e., illogical, irrational) to expectation.
BUT / HOWEVER He asked for another cup of coffee, but there was no more. He asked for yet another cup of coffee. But there was no more!  †(stronger contrast) He asks for some and finds out there is no more.	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, (Perhaps, he hopes someone will  buy or make some more.)
He asked for another cup of coffee. However, there was no more. He asked for another cup of coffee; however, there was no more.	Though there was no more coffee, he asked for another cup.. He asked for another cup of coffee though there was no more.

Also see But / though for implied meanings
† But – beginning a sentence   

 

 

Connectors for Contrast

INITIAL			MEDIAL
Each of these connectors states a direct contrast and can be placed before either clause without a change in meaning.   A comma is used to separate the two clauses.			Each of these connectors states a direct contrast and can be placed between the two clauses.  A comma separates the two clauses (except for however, a transition word, and in contrast to, a preposition.)
CONNECTOR	CONTRAST	STATEMENT	STATEMENT	CONNECTOR	CONTRAST
While (conj)	I like sugar in my coffee,	Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee,	while(conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
Whereas(conj)	I like sugar in my coffee,	Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee,	whereas(conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
On the one hand, (trans)	I like sugar in my coffee.		I like sugar in my coffee,	but (conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
On the other hand, (trans)		Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee	in contrast to (prep)	Edward who likes black coffee.
			I like sugar in my coffee.	TRANSITION WORD comma However, (trans)	Edward likes black coffee.
			I like sugar in my coffee.	In contrast, (trans)	Edward likes black coffee.

black coffee – has no sugar
On the one hand,  and On the other hand, is a paired expression.
 Also see Comparisons

 

 

Connectors for Contrary Outcome

CONNECTORS BEFORE SITUATION CLAUSE			CONNECTORS BEFORE CONTRARY CLAUSE
Each of these connectors occurs with a pair of independent clauses.  It introduces the situation-clause.			Each of these connectors occurs between a pair of independent clauses and introduces the clause with contrary outcome (idea, opinion or action).
CONNNECTOR	SITUATION	CONTRARY OUTCOME	SITUATION	CONNNECTOR	CONTRARY OUTCOME
Even though (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do (eat sugar).	I shouldn't eat sugar,	but still	I do.
Though (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar,	yet (conj)	I do.
Although (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar,	but (conj)	I do anyway.
ADVERBIAL PREP + CLAUSE Despite the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	ADVERBIAL PHRASE comma Even so, (adv)	I do.
In spite of the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	In spite of that,	I do.
Regardless of the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	Nevertheless, (adv)	I do.

contrary (adj) – ideas, opinions, or actions that are completely different and opposed to each other; one is illogical, unexpected or unlikely with the other
Also see:   Because/Though | Adverbial Prepositions

 

 

 

Punctuation

INITIAL-SENTENCE POSITION			MID-SENTENCE POSITION
Each of these connectors introduces a situation clause that is followed by a comma and clause stating an unexpected, surprising or illogical outcome.			Each of these connectors can be placed mid-sentence before the situation clause. No comma is used.
CONNECTOR	SITUATION	CONTRARY OUTCOME	CONTRARY OUTCOME	CONNECTOR	SITUATION
Even though	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do (eat sugar).	I eat sugar	even though	I shouldn't.
Though	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I eat sugar	though	I shouldn't.
Although	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I eat sugar	although	I shouldn't.

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

Connectors for Contrast

 

Ray versus Rena — personalities and habits

1. Select the connector from the menu that best completes the sentence.
2. Compare your response to the answer to the right by clicking the "check" button.

 

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
1.	I have two friends, Ray and Rena. One has a very clear idea about the future, — while though   the other   is clueless. clueless (adj.) – has no idea, thoughts on it clue (n.) – A piiece of information that helps someone figure something out.
2.	Ray is very good at writing, — whereas although Rena is good at mathematics.
3.	Rena wants to spend the next six years getting her masters degree — in contrast to in contrast Ray who only thinks as far as the next weekend.
4.	— While On the one hand, Ray is a "people" person, Rena likes to be by herself.
5.	On the one hand, Ray is very organized and neat.  — Whereas On the other hand, Rena is disorganized and drops her things everywhere.
6.	— While Although Ray is not clear about what he wants to do now, he may have a better idea in a couple of years.
7.	Ray sprained his ankle, — but he's going to play soccer. but he's going to play soccer anyway. sprain (v.) – to damage a joint in the body by twisting it
8.	Rena didn't study for her exams,  — but still however she managed to pass.
9.	Rena likes to do her work in advance. — However, Regardless of the fact that Ray does his work at the last minute.
10	— Despite the fact that In contrast, they have different study habits, they both are succeeding.

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Ray & Rena — in school

 

 

Contrast or Contrary Outcome

1. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
2. Compare your response to the answer.  An asterisk * Indicates an incorrect answer.

 

#	SENTENCE & ANSWER	YOUR RESPONSE
11.	While Ray is usually on time,	he doesn't even wear a watch. Rena is usually late.
12.	Although Ray doesn't wear a watch,	he's usually late. he's usually on time.
13.	In spite of the fact of the fact that Rena starts her homework early,	Ray finishes first. she doesn't always finish it.
14.	Whereas Rena starts her homework early,	Ray starts his late. she doesn't always finish it.
15.	Ray and Rena are taking the same class, yet	they don't study together. they study together.

 

 

 

 

Practice 3

Ray versus Rena — after school

 

 

 

Puntuation of Connectors

1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
2. Compare your response to the answer on the right by clicking the "check" button.

 

#	COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH PUNCTUATION	CHECK ANSWER
16.	Rena helps in the family store after school  . However, , however, Ray doesn't.
17.	Rena helps in the family store after school , even though even though she has a lot of homework to do.
18.	Ray works as a house painter after school , but but there isn't much work right now.
19.	Ray works as a house painter after school but still , but still he has enough time to see his friends.
20.	Ray  in contrast to , in contrast to Rena doesn't miss going to soccer games.
21.	– On the one hand On the one hand, Ray loves goes to soccer games – , on the other hand, . On the other hand . On the other hand,   he doesn't like to play.
22.	Ray is outgoing  whereas , whereas Rena is not. outgoing (adj) – very social