Collins Cobuild

Unit 99
Contrast clauses
Main points
These  are  clauses  introduced  by  ‘although’,  ‘in  spite  of’  and
‘though’.
You use contrast clauses when you want to make two statements,
and one statement makes the other seem surprising.
Contrast  clauses  are  introduced  by  conjunctions  such  as
‘although’, ‘in spite of’, or ‘though’.
A  contrast  clause  needs  a  main  clause  to  make  a  complete
sentence. The contrast clause can come before or after the main
clause.
1
 When  you  simply  want  to  contrast  two  statements,  you  use
‘although’, ‘though’ or ‘even though’.
Although he was late, he stopped to buy a sandwich.
Though he has lived for years in London, he writes in German.
I used to love listening to her, even though I could only understand about
half of what she said.
Sometimes you use words like ‘still’, ‘nevertheless’, or ‘just the same’
in the main clause to add emphasis to the contrast.
Although I was shocked, I still couldn’t blame him.

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Although his company is profitable, it nevertheless needs to face up to some
serious problems.
Although she hated them, she agreed to help them just the same.
When the subject of the contrast clause and the main clause are the
same,  you  can  often  omit  the  subject  and  the  verb  ‘be’  in  the
contrast clause.
Although poor, we still have our pride. (Although we are poor…)
Though dying of cancer, he painted every day. (Though he was dying of
cancer…)
2
Another way of making a contrast is to use ‘despite’ or ‘in spite of’,
followed by a noun group.
Despite the difference in their ages they were close friends.
In spite of poor health, my father was always cheerful.
WARNING: You say ‘in spite of’ but ‘despite’ without ‘of’.
His mind was still extremely active, in spite of his age.
Henry enjoys exceptionally good health, despite his age.
3
You can also use an ‘-ing’ form after ‘despite’ or ‘in spite of’.
Despite working hard, I failed all my university exams.
Conservative MPs are against tax rises, in spite of wanting lower inflation.
4
You can also use ‘despite the fact that’ or ‘in spite of the fact that’,
followed by a clause.
Despite the fact that it sounds like science fiction, most of it is technically
possible at this moment.
They ignored this order, in spite of the fact that they would probably get
into a great deal of trouble.
It is possible to omit ‘that’, especially in spoken English.

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He insisted on playing, in spite of the fact he had a bad cold.
Despite the fact they live in the same city, they lead very different lives.

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