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Contrasting phrases

Contrasting phrases are used to show that things are different.

Using but and whereas

These are two easy ways to use a contrast in a sentence.

The government wants to increase income tax, whereas/ but the opposition does not agree to this.

Structure:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb), but/ whereas + independent clause (has a subject and verb).

Healthcare is free in many countries, but in the US, it is still very expensive.

Many countries use English words for new inventions and phrases, whereas France has a governmental department dedicated to creating new French words.

Can I use 'but' without a comma?

Yes, you can when it is not an independent clause, so there is no new subject.

The country chose to reduce taxes but not increase the minimum wage.

Increasing the price of the product will probably not decrease demand but will increase consumer's debt.

However/ In contrast/ By contrast/ On the other hand

A common mistake is to put these words in the middle of sentences, which is incorrect.

Structure:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb). However/ In contrast/ By contrast/ On the other hand, independent clause (has a subject and verb).

The government wants to decrease income tax. However, they have no plans to increase the minimum wage.

Food and water are considered human necessities and a part of their rights. By contrast, access to medicine is not considered a human right in some countries.

The cost of space travel often reaches billions of dollars. On the other hand, a lot less money is needed to clean rivers and other fresh water sources in a water.

Alternatively:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb). Subject, however/ in contrast/ by contrast/ on the other hand, verb + completion.

The government wants to decrease income tax. They, however, have no plans to increase the minimum wage.

Food and water are considered human necessities and a part of their rights. Access to medicine, by contrast, is not considered a human right in some countries.

The cost of space travel often reaches billions of dollars. A lot less money, on the other hand, is needed to clean rivers and other fresh water sources in a water.

What is the difference between contrast and concession?

Contrast is used to compare aspects of two different situations.

Concession is used to compare two different aspects of the same situation.

Contrast: Company's A car has seat warmers, but Company's B car does not. (Two separate cars)

Concession: While Company A's car has seat warmers, it does not have high beam headlights, (Two aspects of the same car)

Concession phrases:

Nonetheless/ Nevertheless

Structure:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb). Nonetheless/ Nevertheless, independent clause (has a subject and verb).

The meeting was attended by all staff members, and everyone had the chance to talk. Nevertheless, most workers still felt management did not listen to them.

Inflation was increasing significantly in many countries. Nonetheless, salaries were not rising to match it.

Alternatively:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb). Subject, nonetheless/ nevertheless, verb + completion.

The meeting was attended by all staff members, and everyone had the chance to talk. Most workers, nevertheless, still felt management did not listen to them.

Inflation was increasing significantly in many countries. Salaries, nonetheless, were not rising to match it.

Complex concession structures:

Even though/ Although/ While

Structure:

Even though/ Although/ While + independent clause (has a subject and verb), independent clause (has a subject and verb).

Even though inflation had increased steadily over the years, salaries were still the same.

While public transport is available in the city, most residents use their own personal car.

Although it is well known that drinking alcohol is bad for the health, it is a popular social activity in many countries.

Alternatively:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb), even though/ although, while independent clause (has a subject and verb).

Salaries were still the same, even though inflation had increased steadily over the years.

Most residents use their own personal car, while public transport is available in the city.

Drinking alcohol is a popular social activity in many countries, although it is well known that it is bad for the health.

Complex concession structures:

Despite/ In spite of

Structure:

Despite/ In spite of + noun clause (no verb), independent clause (has a subject and verb).

Despite advances in agriculture, there are still many people suffering from famine around the world.

In spite of his qualifications, he was not hired for the job.

Alternatively:

Independent clause (has a subject and verb) despite/ in spite of + noun clause

There are still many people suffering from famine around the world despite advances in agriculture.

He was not hired for the job in spite of his qualifications

Look at nominalisation page for creating noun phrases.