Conjunctions: contrast
Conjunctions join clauses or sentences and coordinate words in the same clause.
Contrast conjunctions connect ideas and clauses that contrast. The following words and phrases are contrast conjunctions: but, although, though, even though, even if, while, in spite of, while, whilst, whereas.
But
‘But‘ is one of the most common contrast conjunctions. We use ‘but‘ to connect ideas that contrast or oppose each other.
When we use ‘but’ to join two independent/main clauses (sentences), we must use a comma before ‘but‘. If there aren’t two independent clauses on either side of ‘but’, we don’t need a comma.
- I want to go for a walk, but it’s raining outside.
- That lady is nice but stern.
Although/though/even though
We use ‘although‘, ‘though‘ and ‘even though‘ to join the main clause to a subordinate clause that contains a surprise or unexpected results.
They do not connect two independent (main) clauses. The clause that contains ‘although‘, ‘though‘, or ‘even though‘ is a subordinate clause and cannot stand alone as a full sentence. When the subordinate clause comes first, we use a comma after it.
- Although I hate camping, I am going hiking and camping this weekend.
- Though she waited for almost an hour, her friend never showed up.
- Even though I got ready to go, we decided to just stay at home.
When the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, we do not need a comma.
- I am going hiking and camping this weekend although I hate camping.
- Her friend never showed up though she waited for almost an hour.
- We decided to just stay at home even though I got ready to go.
Both ‘although‘ and ‘though‘ have the same meaning, however, ‘although‘ is more formal and more common in writing. We can use ‘even + though‘ to add emphasis to ‘though‘.
Even if
‘Even if‘ is similar to ‘even though‘ and ‘although‘/’though‘, and it is used in the same way. ‘Even if‘ means “whether or not.”
Again, the clause with ‘even if‘ is a subordinate clause, so we must use a comma if the subordinate clause comes before the main clause.
- Even if you run fast, you’ll still be late for school.
- I’ll be happy even if I’m not chosen.
In spite of
We use ‘in spite of‘ to show unexpected results. The clause containing ‘in spite of‘ is a subordinate clause.
Just like with the previous conjunctions, when the subordinate clause comes first, we use a comma after it. ‘In spite of‘ is followed by either a gerund (‘-ing’ form of the verb) or a noun phrase.
- In spite of having a bad teacher, the students all did well on their test.
- The baby slept well in spite of all the noise.
- I enjoyed the party in spite of having a headache.
While/whilst/whereas
We use ‘while‘, ‘whilst‘, and ‘whereas‘ to join contrasting ideas. ‘While‘ and ‘whilst‘ mean the same thing though ‘while‘ is more common and ‘whilst‘ is more formal and more archaic English. They both mean ‘at/during the same time that something else is happening,’ or ‘in contrast with.’
- While/Whilst I prefer to eat at the table, my husband prefers to eat in front of the television. (contrast)
- You get some onions while/whilst I get the meat. (at the same time)
You can see that we use a comma when ‘while‘/’whilst‘ joins contrasting ideas regardless of whether the subordinate clause comes first or second. However, we do not use a comma when ‘while‘/’whilst‘ is used to mean “during the same time.”
We cannot use ‘whereas‘ to mean ‘at the same time.’ We only use ‘whereas‘ to join contrasting ideas. We use a comma with ‘whereas‘ in the same way that we do for ‘although‘/’though‘ and other subordinating clauses.
- Whereas I like to get up early and go for a run, my partner likes to sleep in and go for a run in the evening.
- John spends his money right away whereas Joan saves hers for a rainy day.
Note: Some suggest that a comma should be used before ‘although’, ‘though’, ‘whereas’, (and ‘while’ when it is used as an adverb of concession and not to mean ‘at the same time as’), when the subordinate clause follows the main clause.
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