There are a number of formulas used when contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of the most common:

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• We'd love to stay for dinner, but we have got to get going.

• They decided to stay in the area, in spite of their problems with the local residents.

• Despite the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided to visit India.

• Getting a good job is hard work, however, most people eventually find one with patience.

• There were a number of people who came, although the hotels were not equipped to handle them all.

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Formula                                             Example                                              Explanation

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main statement, but                           I'd really like to come to the film,       Use a comma or semi colon (;) with 'but'.

contrasting statement                        but I have to study tonight.'                But' is the most common way to show                                                                                                                                       contrasting ideas.

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main statement, in spite                     They continued on their journey,        Use 'in spite of' plus a noun, noun phrase or

of contrasting statement OR              in spite of the pouring rain.                 gerund.

in spite of contrasting

statement, main statement

 

main statement, despite                     They continued on their journey,         Use 'despite' plus a noun, noun, phrase or

contrasting statement OR                  despite the pouring rain.                       gerund.

Despite contrasting

statement, main statement    

     

main statement, although                 We wanted to buy a sports car,              Use 'although' with a subject and a verb.

contrasting statement OR                 although we knew that fast cars

Although contrasting                        can be dangerous.

statement, main statement  

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But / However 

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But is more informal than however. You can use however at the beginning of a sentence, but you can’t use but at the beginning of a sentence (in written English).

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• I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy for me.

• I tried to lift the box. However, it was too heavy for me.

 

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Although / Even Though

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These linking words are the same, and they are both followed by a subject + verb.

• Although I exercise every day, I can’t seem to lose any weight.

• She still loves him, even though he treated her very badly.

 

 

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Despite / In Spite Of

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These linking words are the same, and they are followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of the verb, which can function as a noun).

• Our plane arrived on time in spite of the delay during takeoff.

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• We won the game despite having two fewer players.

Despite The Fact That / In Spite Of The Fact That

These phrases are followed by a subject + verb.

• Our plane arrived on time in spite of the fact that it left 30 minutes late.

• We won the game despite the fact that we had two fewer players.

While / Whereas / Unlike

These linking words are used to make contrasts. While and whereas are usually used between two complete phrases. Unlike is typically used with only a subject.

• I like tennis, while my brother prefers bowling.

• This cell phone plan costs $0.05 per minute, whereas that one gives you up to 800 minutes per month for a fixed price.

• His boss allows him to work from home, unlike mine.

• She’s very friendly, unlike her sister.

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