1. 2.2. Contrast

1. While most MPs favour the policy, a minority is strongly opposed to it.

While I was driving the car, you were asleep in the back.

Susan is friendly whereas her hus­band is more reserved.

2. On the one hand we must fight

1. Two different aspects of a subject can be brought together and compared using the con­junctions while or whereas, which can be placed at the beginning of the sentence or be­tween the two statements that are being con­trasted. While is often used when one event happens at the same time as another. It em­phasises duration; it is more common with the continuous form of the verb. Whereas doesn’t possess the meaning of time and introduces a contrast between TWO people or things which are in other ways similar.

2. The expressions on the one hand and on

inflation, but oil the other hand we want to create new jobs. This job isn’t well paid. On the other hand, I don’t have to work long hours. It hasn’t been a success but don’t forget it only started a month ago. She isn’t very clever but there again she works very hard. John Sykes was a mean ill- tempered man. By contrast, his brother was kind-hearted. a: He's very generous. b: Yes, but on the other hand he isn’t very friendly. a: He's very generous. B: No, on the contrary, I find him rather mean. In the northern hemisphere the summer months are from July to September. Conversely, in the southern hemisphere the summer is from January to March.	the other hand introduce a contrast, which is a part of a single overall picture; often the con­trast is between different '‘sides” of the same person or thing. On the other hand is used when a new and a different fact is added to a statement, both statements being equally true. Expressions used in informal English with a similar meaning to on the other hand are: there again, don't forget, it's also true that By contrast / in contrast introduces a clear contrast between two different people or things. It is rather formal. On the other hand must not be confused with on the contrary. On the other hand ac­cepts that the alternative view is also true. On the contrary is used for contradiction. It de­nies the truth of the alternative view, which should be positive or negative in accordance with the previously expressed idea. Conversely is used to express a directly op­posite point of view on a fact/event/thing. It DOESN’T reject the previously expressed idea as on the contrary.
1.23. CONCESSION
1. Though he was ill, he went to work. Although it was warm, she wore a coat. She wore a coat even though it was warm. 2. Although/ Though she was angry, she smiled.		Concessive clauses indicate that the situation in the main clause is contrary to the expected result of the subordinate clause. The most effective concessive sub- ordinators are although, though, even though. Although is neutral; though and even though are its more informal variants, the latter being slightly more emphatic than though. As conjunctions, although, though and even though are interchangeable. Although and even though are usually placed at the

1. It was warm; she wore a coat though.

2. Though he was tired, he insisted on coming to the meeting—> Tired (hough he was, he insisted on coming to the meeting.

Although not wanting to seem ob­stinate, I insisted on a definite reply, liven though given every opportunity, they would not cooperate with us. Though well over eighty, he can walk luster than I can.

4. lie'll come even though it’s snow­ing. (= It is snowing.)

lie'll come even if it is snowing. (= It may not be snowing.) beginning of its clause, whereas though may occur elsewhere:

1. in spoken English though can be placed at the end of a sentence;

2. when a clause beginning with though ends with a compliment, the complement can be brought forward to the beginning of the clause.

3. In speech abbreviated clauses of conces­sion are fairly common. They are all of three structural types: -ing, -ed and verb- less. NOTE: In verbless clauses though is preferable.

4. Even though must not be confused with even if. Even though refers to two facts or two real situations, which are in contrast. Even if refers not to facts but to hypotheti­cal situations.

Oilier ways of expressing contrast

He was ill	but/yet	he went to work.
	Still
	All the same
He was ill.	Even so	he went to work.
	However
	Nevertheless

1. I told him not to do it, but he just Ignored me.

I don't really like discos; still I'll come If you want me to.

I realise they're poor: all the same they shouldn't steal.

A new government took power. How­ever, the economic situation continued to deteriorate.

Conditions were difficult. Neverthe­less, the work continued.

2. “Linkers” are important. However/ Nevertheless, they are not always taught.

1. The linking words in the table imust be placed between the two contrastinjg ideas. Different forms of punctuation can be used with these linking words. But and yet are conjunctions, and are used with a comma or no punctuation mark. The others rnay be preceded by a full stop or a semicolon. Still, all the same, even so are used in i nformal English. Yet, however, nevertheless are used in written or formal English {neverthe­less is the most formal).

2. However and nevertheless / nonetheless

(fml) are similar in meaning, but however contrasts facts about the same thing, and/or

1. a

   CONCESSION + CONDITION

   The French exam was easy. However, the chemistry exam was difficult. We worked hard, but nevertheless we were unable to finish the job in time. 3. a) In spite of the fact that they had bought new players, the team had no success. Despite the fact that I had studied hard all year, I failed the exam. We couldn't work the machine in spite of following all the instructions. Despite studying hard all year, I failed the exam. They decided to go on holiday de­spite the expense.	two different things whereas nevertheless CANNOT be used when two different things are contrasted. NOTE: However CANNOT be used after but. You should use nevertheless instead. 3. a) Another means of contrasting ideas is to use the expressions in spite of the fact that or despite the fact that If the subject of two verbs is the same, despite or in spite of may be followed by the -ing-form (verbal noun) of the subordi­nate verb. Despite and in spite of may also be fol­lowed by other types of noun.
   All the newspapers reported the wed­ding even'The Times'. There was no public transport; there weren't even any taxis. Some parts of the country are cold even in July. He's a polyglot - he even speaks Swahili. There isn't even a lion in that zoo. She can't even ride a bike. I hadn’t even thought of that.		The adverb even is used to suggest a contrast with what we would normally expect. Even usually comes before the word to which it refers. When even refers to a verb it comes before the verb, but after the verb be, a modal auxiliary or the first auxiliary in a compound verb.

   ) It doesn't matter how important he is, I don't like him. (- Even if he is very important, I...)

No matter where you go, you'll have the same problem. (= Even if you go far away from here, you'll...)

2. Whether you like it or not, I'll buy it. (= Even if you don't like it, I'm...)

3. I'll finish the job anyway (-even if he doesn't pay me).

1. Certain expressions of contrast produce the same effect as the con­junction even if