Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas

Hello English learners! In this lesson, you will learn how to use the most important linking words for contrasting ideas, where they appear in a sentence and which common mistakes to avoid.

There is nothing wrong with but. It is one of the most useful words in English.

The problem comes when but is the only word you use to express contrast. In longer pieces of writing, repeated use of the same connector can make your English sound repetitive and less flexible.

At B2 First and C1 Advanced level, it is useful to be able to express contrasting ideas in several different ways. Depending on the grammar and the relationship between the ideas, you might use however, although, even though, despite, in spite of, whereas, while or on the other hand.

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Why Do We Use Linking Words for Contrast?

We use linking words for contrasting ideas when two ideas are different, unexpected or opposite in some way.

Compare:

• The restaurant was expensive, but the food was excellent.
• Although the restaurant was expensive, the food was excellent.
• The restaurant was expensive. However, the food was excellent.
• Despite the high prices, the food was excellent.

The basic message is similar, but the grammar changes.

This is why it is not enough simply to memorise a list of linking words. You also need to know what grammatical structure comes after each one.

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1. HOWEVER

However is a sentence connector. It introduces an idea that contrasts with something mentioned previously.

It is particularly useful in essays, reports, articles and other types of more formal writing.

• The course was demanding. However, I learnt a great deal.
• The hotel was rather expensive; however, its location was excellent.

Notice the punctuation.

When however begins a new sentence, we normally put a comma after it:

• The journey was long. However, it was worth it.

We can also use it after a semicolon:

• The journey was long; however, it was worth it.

However in the middle of a sentence

However can also appear later in the sentence:

• The proposal, however, was rejected.

This position is more common in formal writing.

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2. ALTHOUGH

Although is a subordinating conjunction. This means that it introduces a clause containing a subject + verb.

Structure

although + subject + verb

• Although she was tired, she continued working.

The although clause can come before or after the main clause.

Compare:

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
• We went for a walk although it was raining.

When the although clause comes first, we normally separate the two clauses with a comma.

Do not use although and but together

A common learner mistake is:

❌ Although it was raining, but we went out.

Use either although or but:

✅ Although it was raining, we went out.

✅ It was raining, but we went out.

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3. THOUGH

Though has a very similar meaning to although, but it is generally more common in conversation and less formal writing.

• Though I was nervous, the interview went quite well.
• I enjoyed the film, though I thought it was a little too long.

One useful difference is that though can appear at the end of a sentence in informal English.

• The restaurant was quite expensive. The food was excellent, though.

You cannot normally use although in this position.

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4. EVEN THOUGH

Even though works grammatically like although, but it expresses a stronger or more surprising contrast.

Structure

even though + subject + verb

• Even though he had very little experience, he performed extremely well.
• She continued running even though she was exhausted.

Compare:

• Although she was tired, she finished the report.
• Even though she was exhausted, she finished the report.

The second sentence places greater emphasis on the unexpected contrast.

If these three forms are confusing, see my complete guide to although, though and even though.

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5. DESPITE

Despite expresses contrast too, but its grammar is different from although.

After despite, we normally use:

a noun / noun phrase

or

verb + -ing

• Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
• Despite the high price, the product sold extremely well.

A very common mistake is:

❌ Despite she was tired, she continued working.

This is incorrect because despite is not normally followed directly by a full clause.

Instead, say:

✅ Although she was tired, she continued working.

or:

✅ Despite being tired, she continued working.

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6. IN SPITE OF

In spite of has almost the same meaning and grammar as despite.

Structure

in spite of + noun / pronoun / -ing form

• In spite of the bad weather, the event attracted thousands of visitors.

Both despite and in spite of are suitable for formal and neutral English.

One small grammar point is worth remembering:

✅ despite the weather

✅ in spite of the weather

❌ despite of the weather

Despite never needs of.

You can practise these structures in more detail in my lesson on in spite of, despite, however and although.

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7. DESPITE THE FACT THAT / IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT

There is one way to use despite and in spite of before a full clause.

Use:

despite the fact that + subject + verb

in spite of the fact that + subject + verb

• Despite the fact that the journey took six hours, everyone remained in good spirits.
• In spite of the fact that she had never done the job before, she quickly learnt what to do.

These structures are correct, but they are longer and more formal than simply using although.

Compare:

• Although the journey was long, we enjoyed it.
• Despite the fact that the journey was long, we enjoyed it.

Both are correct, but the first is more concise.

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8. WHEREAS

Whereas is particularly useful when you want to compare two different people, situations or ideas directly.

• My brother loves working from home, whereas I prefer going to the office.

Whereas is particularly useful in essays and reports because it allows you to compare two contrasting points clearly and concisely.

It is not normally used simply to express an unexpected result.

Less natural:

• Whereas it was raining, we went for a walk.

Better:

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

Use whereas mainly when comparing two contrasting facts or situations.

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9. WHILE

While can also be used to contrast two ideas.

• While some people enjoy living in large cities, others prefer smaller towns.

In this meaning, while is similar to whereas.

However, remember that while has another very common meaning: during the time that something is happening.

• I listened to a podcast while I was cooking.

The context normally makes the meaning clear.

For formal comparison, whereas can sometimes be clearer because it does not have this second meaning.

You can learn more expressions for comparing contrasting ideas in Linking Words and Phrases to Express Difference.

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10. ON THE OTHER HAND

On the other hand introduces a contrasting point, usually when considering two different sides of an issue.

• Living in the city gives you access to more jobs and entertainment. On the other hand, housing can be extremely expensive.

You will often see the pair:

on the one hand … on the other hand

• On the one hand, studying abroad can be expensive. On the other hand, it can provide valuable academic and personal experience.

However, on the other hand does not always need to be preceded by on the one hand. It can be used independently when the contrasting relationship is already clear.

One important point for exam writing: do not use on the other hand simply as a decorative replacement for however. It works best when you are genuinely presenting another side of an argument or situation.

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Quick Guide to Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas

although	although + subject + verb	Although it was raining, we went out.
even though	even though + subject + verb	Even though she was tired, she continued.
despite	despite + noun / -ing	Despite the rain, we went out.
in spite of	in spite of + noun / -ing	In spite of being tired, she continued.
however	sentence connector	It was raining. However, we went out.
whereas	clause + whereas + clause	Tom likes cities, whereas Jane prefers the countryside.
while	while + contrasting clause	While some agree, others disagree.
on the other hand	introduces another side	It is expensive. On the other hand, it is very reliable.

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Which Linking Words Should You Use in B2 First and C1 Advanced Writing?

Using a range of linking words for contrasting ideas is particularly useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced writing, where you need to organise your ideas clearly and show flexibility in your language. There is no single “best” linking word. If you are preparing for the exam, my complete guide to writing an essay for B2 First shows how linking words work as part of a complete exam answer. Good writing depends on choosing the expression that fits the relationship between your ideas.

For an unexpected contrast, you might use:

although, even though, despite, in spite of, however

For a direct comparison between two contrasting ideas, use:

whereas, while

When discussing two sides of an issue, use:

on the other hand

And do not abandon but completely. Native speakers use it constantly, including in sophisticated writing.

The aim is not to replace every but with a more impressive expression. The aim is to develop enough range to choose the connector that expresses your meaning most clearly.

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Want to improve your B2 First writing?

Learn how to organise essays, articles, reviews and emails, develop your ideas and use more natural linking language with Mastering Writing Skills for B2 First. 

Final Thought

Using a wider range of linking words for contrast can make your English clearer, more flexible and more natural.

Instead of relying on:

but … but … but …

learn to choose between however, although, even though, despite, in spite of, whereas, while and on the other hand.

The difference may look small, but in a well-written essay, report, article or review, these choices help your ideas fit together more smoothly — and show that you have real control over English grammar and organisation.