Grammar
Linking words for contrast and concession
A report can be useful and incomplete at the same time. Linking words help you show that relationship clearly: Although the report was useful, it did not answer every question. The two facts do not cancel each other; one fact changes how the reader understands the other.
Choose and punctuate linking words that show contrast or concession between ideas.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Although the route was longer, it was safer. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ðə ruːt wəz ˈlɒŋɡə ɪt wəz ˈseɪfə/
The short answer
Use although, though, or even though before a clause. Use despite or in spite of before a noun phrase or an -ing form. Use however or nevertheless to link complete statements, with punctuation that shows the boundary between them.
Despite the heavy rain, the event continued outdoors.
Why it works: Despite is followed by the noun phrase the heavy rain, not by a complete clause.
5 more examples
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Although the forecast was poor, the conference continued as planned.
Although introduces a full clause with the subject the forecast and the verb was.
Not this:
Despite the poor forecast, the conference continued as planned. What changes: Despite is followed by a noun phrase, not a clause. -
Despite arriving late, Omar caught the opening presentation.
Despite can be followed by an -ing form when the action is treated as a situation.
Not this:
Although Omar arrived late, he caught the opening presentation. What changes: Although is followed by the complete clause Omar arrived late. -
The proposal was practical; however, it was expensive.
However connects two complete statements and marks a contrast. The semicolon separates the independent clauses.
Not this:The proposal was practical
, butit was expensive. What changes: But is a coordinating conjunction, so it can join the two clauses after a comma. -
The task was difficult; nevertheless, every participant finished it.
Nevertheless emphasizes that the result happened despite the difficulty.
Not this:
Even though the task was difficult, every participant finished it. What changes: Even though introduces the concessive clause before the result. -
The older model is cheaper, whereas the newer model uses less energy.
Whereas compares two related subjects and makes their different qualities clear.
Not this:
While the older model is cheaper, the newer model uses less energy. What changes: While can also introduce a contrast, but it can have a time meaning in other contexts.
Read the full guide
Before choosing a linker, check the words that follow it. A clause has a subject and a verb, as in the weather was poor. A noun phrase names a thing or situation, as in the poor weather. This one check will help you choose between although and despite, then use the right punctuation for however and nevertheless.
Show a difference or an unexpected result
Use contrast when two facts differ in a relevant way. Use concession when the second fact is true even though the first fact might lead the reader to expect something else. The link word tells the reader which relationship to notice.
The hotel was basic, but the staff were helpful.
The two facts contrast: the hotel had limited facilities, yet the service was good.
Put although and though before a clause
After although, though, or even though, use a clause with a subject and a verb. The concessive clause can come before or after the main clause. When it comes first, use a comma before the main clause. Do not add but to the main clause in the same pattern.
Though the schedule was tight, we completed the work.
The schedule was tight is a complete clause, so though can introduce it.
Use despite with a noun phrase or an -ing form
Despite and in spite of cannot directly introduce a standard clause. Follow them with a noun phrase, a pronoun, or an -ing form. If you need a subject and verb, use although or add the fact that after despite.
In spite of the delay, the client remained patient.
Despite feeling tired, I stayed for the discussion.
The delay is a noun phrase, and feeling tired is an -ing form. Neither example uses despite of.
Punctuate however and nevertheless as linking adverbs
However and nevertheless can connect the meaning of two complete sentences, but they cannot join those sentences with only a comma. Use a period, a semicolon, or another complete sentence boundary before the linker. Put a comma after the linker when it begins the second statement.
The data were limited. However, the pattern was clear.
A period separates the independent clauses. However then signals the contrast between them.
Compare related facts with whereas and while
Whereas is useful when you want to set two related facts beside each other, especially in formal writing. While can have the same contrast meaning, but it can also describe actions happening at the same time. Use whereas when a time reading could confuse the sentence.
The first option saves time, whereas the second option saves money.
Whereas makes the two benefits easy to compare and does not suggest that the actions happen at the same time.
Before you go
Remember this
Use clause linkers such as although, though, and even though before a subject and verb. Use despite and in spite of before a noun phrase or an -ing form. Use however and nevertheless between complete statements with a period or semicolon before them. Choose whereas or while when you are directly comparing related facts.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Linking words for contrast and concession"
What is the difference between contrast and concession?
Contrast shows that two ideas differ in a relevant way. Concession goes further: it says that one fact is true despite another fact that might make the result seem unlikely. Linkers such as although, despite, and nevertheless commonly express concession.
Although the forecast was poor, the conference continued as planned.
What can I use after although?
Use a clause after although, though, or even though. A clause has a subject and a verb, such as the meeting was delayed. You can place this clause before or after the main clause. Do not add but to the main clause in the same sentence pattern.
Despite the poor forecast, the conference continued as planned.
What can I use after despite?
Use a noun phrase, a pronoun, or an -ing form after despite or in spite of. For example, despite the noise and despite working late are both possible. Do not write despite of. Use although when you need to introduce a full clause.
Despite arriving late, Omar caught the opening presentation.
How should I punctuate however?
When however links two complete statements, use a period or semicolon before it, then usually place a comma after it. It cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma. In shorter sentences, however can also appear inside a clause with commas around it.
Although Omar arrived late, he caught the opening presentation.
What is the difference between whereas and while?
Both whereas and while can show contrast between related facts. Whereas is especially useful in formal comparisons and does not normally suggest time. While can also mean during the time that, so whereas is often clearer when a time meaning could confuse the reader.
The proposal was practical; however, it was expensive.