Expressing Contrasts in Essays

English can express contrast with conjunctions, adverbs and prepositions. Knowing this will help you express your ideas more precisely and communicate them more clearly in writing. Mastering these tools also ensures your essays flow smoothly, making your arguments both effective and persuasive. This unit looks at the most common ways of contrasting information and ideas, and at some difficult points of English.

Conjunctions of contrast

A contrast is often shown by a conjunction between two clauses. The most common way of expressing a simple difference in English is with but.

• Life expectancy in Japan is now over 80 but it is several years lower in the UK.
• She wanted to join the trip, but she had no time.

Other common conjunctions are although and while, which introduce a subordinate clause.

• Meals are relatively cheap in restaurants, while drinks are expensive.
• The new phone is popular, while the older model is hardly used.
• We tried hard, although we didn’t succeed.
• He applied for the job, although he lacked the required experience.

Although and while usually introduce clauses of fact; whereas is common with oppositions of idea.

• Some people find English grammar easy, whereas others find it difficult.
• This car is fuel-efficient, whereas that one consumes a lot of petrol.

Expressions of contrast

There is another type of contrast in English when the order of clauses is reversed. Some common adverbs and prepositions introduce this. For example:

• We tried hard. However, we didn’t succeed.
• She was nervous. However, she delivered a great presentation.
• In spite of the rain, the food was still very good.
• In spite of his illness, he attended the meeting.
• Despite enormous amounts of money for the project, the results were disappointing.
• Despite his efforts, the plan failed to impress the committee.

Although vs. but

Remember that although introduces a subordinate clause and that a clause with although cannot stand alone.

• Although it rained, the food was still very good.
• Although he was tired, he finished his assignment.
• NOT Although it rained.

It is often possible to replace the structure with although by a simple clause and but, depending on context.

• It rained. But the food was still very good.
• The task was hard. But they completed it on time.

Position of expressions

We can put clauses starting with although or while either before or after the main clause.

• We tried hard, although we didn’t succeed.
• Although we tried hard, we didn’t succeed.
• He stayed calm, while everyone else panicked.
• While others complained, she kept silent.

Adverbial expressions like however, nevertheless and in contrast usually come at the beginning of a clause and are often followed by a comma.

• We tried hard. Nevertheless, we didn’t succeed.
• He explained the rules. In contrast, she gave practical examples.

This is not always necessary with but.

Prepositions of contrast

We can use the prepositions despite and in spite of to express contrast. They are more formal than although.

• Despite his promises, he did not produce results.
• Despite the warnings, many people entered the area.
• In spite of enormous amounts of money for the project, the results were disappointing.
• In spite of her injuries, she completed the race.

As prepositions, they do not introduce clauses; they are followed by a noun or an -ing form.

• Despite his age, he is still working.
• Despite her skills, she was not selected.
• In spite of feeling very tired, we went on working.
• In spite of being new, he quickly adapted to the team.

To produce a full clause after despite or in spite of we have to add the fact that.

• In spite of the fact that the final rehearsal had gone so badly, the first night was a great success.
• Despite the fact that it was late, they continued their discussion.

Adverbs of contrast

We can use sentence adverbials, like however, nevertheless, still, on the other hand, on the contrary, to make a contrast between sentences, but mainly in more formal speech and writing.

• Nothing may be a good antidote for a clearly hopeless problem like death. However, the need to treat it for other reasons is stronger.
• She worked very hard for the exam. However, the results were disappointing.
• The reversal of the previous ruling was not popular. Nevertheless, it is still on the statute books.
• The plan was controversial. Nevertheless, it was approved by the council.

We sometimes separate these adverbials from the rest of the sentence with commas.

Formality

More formal contrasts are often expressed with however, nevertheless, still and on the other hand. Less formal contrasts are though (used at the end of a sentence) and yet.

• Our industrial problems are serious. Yet they will be solved eventually.
• The hike was exhausting. Yet everyone enjoyed it.
• I know it’s expensive. It’s worth it, though.
• He lost the match. It was fun, though.

Position

All sentence adverbs of contrast can be placed at the beginning of the contrasting sentence. But some are also commonly used at the end of a sentence. Nonetheless and nevertheless are more formal adverbs, used especially in writing.

• Nonetheless, the public considers that too many are allowed to own and use firearms.
• Nonetheless, experts believe the decision was necessary.
• The public, however, considers that too many are allowed to own and use firearms.
• The government, however, insists that reforms are working.
• The public considers that too many are allowed to own and use firearms. Even so, some will always resist restriction.
• The team played poorly. Even so, they managed to win the match.

The informal adverbs still can appear at the beginning of the sentence, but not the end. For all that, all the same and mind you are more informal adverbs, used especially in conversation, and can be found both at the beginning and the end.

• It’s worth it, all the same.
• It was risky, all the same.
• It’s worth it. Mind you, it’s too expensive for someone on that income.
• The event was fun. Mind you, it lasted too long.
• Still, it’s worth it.
• Still, I would recommend it.