Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas

Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas (However, Although, Despite, Whereas…)

One of the easiest ways to spot a B1-level text is this:

It is nice, but it is expensive. It is interesting, but it is difficult. I like it, but…

Nothing is wrong with but. It’s a good word. A loyal word. A hardworking word.

But if you use only but, your writing starts to sound simple, repetitive, and a little… childish.

In Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced) and in good real-life writing, you are expected to show contrast in more varied, flexible, and elegant ways.

That’s where linking words for contrast come in.

In this lesson, you will learn the most important ones:

• however
• although / though / even though
• despite / in spite of
• while / whereas
• on the other hand

You will also learn how to use them correctly, where to put them in a sentence and how to avoid typical exam mistakes.

First, a simple idea

We use linking words for contrast when two ideas are both true, but they don’t fit together naturally.

For example:

• Something is expensive, but you still want it.
• Someone is old, but still very active.
• You like one option, but prefer another.

Now let’s see how English expresses this contrast in more advanced ways.

Sentence connectors: HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER HAND

These usually connect two sentences or two independent clauses and are often separated by punctuation (full stop or semicolon + comma).

However

However shows a contrast between two ideas. It is often used at the beginning of a sentence or after a semicolon.

Examples:

• Most people hate working on Sundays. However, Andy doesn’t mind it at all.
• The trip was expensive; however, it was worth every penny.
• Peter wasn’t very well-mannered; however, he was never rude.
• In informal English, we often use but instead:
• No news was coming, but Rebecca was still hoping.

On the other hand

We often use on the one hand … on the other hand … to show two sides of the same situation.

Examples:

• On the one hand, I’d love to go on a city break. On the other hand, I really need to save some money.
• She was impressed by the job offer, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to leave her current job.

This is very common in exam essays and discussions.

Subordinating conjunctions: ALTHOUGH / THOUGH / EVEN THOUGH / WHILE / WHEREAS

These are used to join two clauses in one sentence.

Although / Though

Although and though mean: “in spite of the fact that”.

• Although she was tired, she kept working.
• She kept working although she was tired.

Though is slightly more informal, very common in spoken English and can even appear at the end of a sentence.

• He gained a lot of weight. He kept eating too much, though.

Even though

• Even though has the same meaning, but is more emphatic / stronger.
• Even though he was rich, he never bought a new car.
• Even though she was over 90, she was still very active.

While / Whereas

We use while and whereas to directly contrast two different people, things, or ideas. They are very common in formal writing.

• While my car is old, it runs very well.
• Jane loved the film, whereas I found it a bit boring.

Prepositional phrases: DESPITE / IN SPITE OF

Despite and in spite of mean the same as although — but the grammar is different. After them, we use a noun, a pronoun or a -ing form.

✅ Correct:

• Despite the cold weather, they went skiing.
• In spite of feeling tired, she kept working.
• Despite his age, he runs every day.

❌ Not correct:

• Despite he was tired… (Here you need although.)

Quick comparison

although / even though + subject + verb

• Although it was raining, we went out.

despite / in spite of + noun / -ing

• Despite the rain, we went out.
• In spite of being tired, she continued.

however / on the other hand = connect sentences / ideas

• It was raining. However, we went out.

Typical exam mistakes

❌ Despite it was raining…

✅ Although it was raining… / Despite the rain…

❌ However we decided to go out.

✅ However, we decided to go out.

❌ On the other hand used without “on the one hand” (in some contexts)

(Use it carefully and logically.)

Which ones should YOU use?

In essays, articles, reviews, reports: although, even though, whereas, however, on the other hand, despite

In speaking: though, but, however, on the other hand, while

Final thought

If you stop using only but and start using although, despite, however, whereas, on the other hand your English immediately sounds more mature, more logical, more exam-ready and much more natural.

Small words. Big difference.

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