Prepositional Phrases of Contrast
Hello English learners! In today’s lesson, we will explore some useful prepositional phrases of contrast — the ones you need when you want to show differences, opposites, or unexpected results in English.
They could come handy if you are writing an essay for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, or simply want to sound more natural when comparing ideas. These expressions will make your English more precise and sophisticated.
We often use phrases like in contrast to, despite, or as opposed to to link opposing ideas smoothly and clearly.
For example:
- In contrast to yesterday’s sunshine, today is dark and rainy.
Keep reading to discover a list of the most useful prepositional phrases of contrast, complete with clear meanings and example sentences. By the end of this lesson, you will know exactly how to use them in your writing and speaking.
| Prepositional phrase | Meaning | Example sentence |
| In contrast to | Used to show a clear difference between two things. | In contrast to her calm sister, Mia is very talkative. |
| In comparison with/to | Used to highlight how two things differ. | In comparison with last year’s figures, profits have increased significantly. |
| In spite of | Used to show that something happens even though there is an obstacle. | In spite of the rain, we went for a walk. |
| Despite | Similar to “in spite of,” used before a noun or -ing form. | Despite being tired, he finished his homework. |
| Unlike | Used to say how something is different from another thing. | Unlike most of his friends, Tom doesn’t enjoy football. |
| Contrary to | Used to say something is the opposite of what people think or expect. | Contrary to popular belief, spiders are not dangerous. |
| As opposed to | Used to contrast two ideas or things directly. | I prefer coffee as opposed to tea. |
| By contrast with | Used to compare and show differences more formally. | By contrast with the dull weather, everyone’s mood was cheerful. |
| In opposition to | Used to express disagreement or contrast in opinion. | The workers voted in opposition to the new policy. |
| In contradistinction to (formal) | A very formal way to emphasise a strong contrast. | His views, in contradistinction to hers, were deeply conservative. |
| In defiance of | Showing that something happens even though it goes against a rule or situation. | They continued the protest in defiance of the government’s warning. |
| In reverse of (less common) | Showing something happens the opposite way. | The results were in reverse of what we had expected. |
Prepositional Phrases of Contrast
Usage tip
In spite of and despite must be followed by a noun or -ing form, not a clause.
✅ Despite working hard, she failed.
❌ Despite she worked hard, she failed.
Whereas and while are not prepositional, but they’re often used in the same contrastive sense:
- Whereas/while John loves crowds, Maria prefers solitude.
Prepositional phrases of contrast
If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!
Discover more from My Lingua Academy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
0 Comments