Concessive and contrastive linkers (B2 Vocabulary)
Concessive linkers show a surprising result: although + a clause, despite + a noun phrase, and nevertheless at the start of a new sentence.
Signaling an unexpected contrast
Not ""Despite the weather was bad, we went outside." (a full clause after 'despite')" — say ""Despite the bad weather, we went outside." (a noun phrase after 'despite')". Despite takes a noun phrase, never a clause; for a clause, use although.
Try it: Which sentence uses the concessive linker correctly? (Despite the funding was cut, the research continued. / Despite the funding cuts, the research continued. / Despite although the funding cuts, the research continued.) Answer: Despite the funding cuts, the research continued. — Despite is followed by a noun phrase, and "the funding cuts" is one.
Try it: Mei: Costs went up again this year. Lars: ___, the council approved the plan. Which linker marks a surprising result? (Nevertheless / In contrast / Whereas) Answer: Nevertheless — Nevertheless marks the approval as a surprise after the rising costs.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
although
/ɔlˈðoʊ/
Although the study had clear limitations, its findings were widely cited.
despite
/dɪˈspaɪt/
Despite the economic downturn, unemployment remained surprisingly low.
nevertheless
/ˌnɛvərðəˈlɛs/
The budget was cut sharply. Nevertheless, the project met its main goals.
Marking a direct opposition
Contrastive linkers compare two facts without surprise: whereas and while join clauses; in contrast and on the other hand start a sentence.
Not ""Although sales rose in the city, whereas they fell in the country." (two linkers for one contrast)" — say ""Sales rose in the city, whereas they fell in the country." (a clean factual contrast)". Use one linker per contrast: whereas alone, never stacked on although.
Try it: Which sentence simply compares two places, with nothing unexpected? (Although the forecast promised sun, the mountains saw early snow. / The coast stayed warm, whereas the mountains saw early snow. / Despite the warm forecast, the mountains saw early snow.) Answer: The coast stayed warm, whereas the mountains saw early snow. — Whereas sets two places side by side, with no surprise implied.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
whereas
/wɛrˈæz/
Urban areas expanded rapidly, whereas rural populations steadily declined.
while
/waɪl/
The north experienced heavy flooding, while the south remained completely dry.
in contrast
/ɪn ˈkɑntræst/
The first trial showed strong effects. In contrast, the second found none.
on the other hand
/ɑn ði ˈʌðər hænd/
The train is faster. On the other hand, buses stop right outside the clinic.
More ways to concede
For a surprising result, nonetheless and even so start a sentence, albeit adds a short phrase, and notwithstanding takes a noun phrase.
Not ""Albeit the price was high, we bought it." (albeit opening a full clause)" — say ""We bought it, albeit at a high price."". Albeit follows the main clause and adds a short phrase, not a full clause.
Try it: Ethan: That library app crashed on me twice this week. Hiroshi: Mine too. ___, I use it every single day. Choose the words for the blank. (Even so / Albeit / Whereas) Answer: Even so — Even so starts a new sentence after a drawback, while "albeit" and "whereas" cannot stand alone there.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
nonetheless
/ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs/
The forecast was poor. Nonetheless, the outdoor concert went ahead.
even so
/ˈivən soʊ/
The tickets cost forty dollars. Even so, every seat was sold.
albeit
/ɔlˈbiɪt/
The repair worked, albeit only for a week.
notwithstanding
/ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
Notwithstanding the heavy rain, the market opened on time.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"Despite the weather was bad, we went outside." (a full clause after 'despite')
"Despite the bad weather, we went outside." (a noun phrase after 'despite')
Despite takes a noun phrase, never a clause; for a clause, use although.
"Although sales rose in the city, whereas they fell in the country." (two linkers for one contrast)
"Sales rose in the city, whereas they fell in the country." (a clean factual contrast)
Use one linker per contrast: whereas alone, never stacked on although.
"Albeit the price was high, we bought it." (albeit opening a full clause)
"We bought it, albeit at a high price."
Albeit follows the main clause and adds a short phrase, not a full clause.