Contrast linkers · Connecteurs de contraste
Showing contrast
- Contrast linkers join two opposite ideas ("X, but surprisingly Y").
- Although it was raining, we went out.
- The trick is what comes after each linker.
Although the forecast promised sunshine, my umbrella knew better.
Montrer un contraste

- Les connecteurs de contraste relient deux idées opposées (« X, mais surprenamment Y »).
- Bien qu'il pleuvait, nous sommes sortis.
- L'astuce est ce qui vient après chaque connecteur.
Bien que la prévision promette du soleil, mon parapluie savait mieux.
although / though / even though
- Followed by a full clause (subject + verb).
- Although it was raining, we went out.
- even though is stronger; though can also go at the end: It's expensive, though.
although / though / even though
- Suivi d'une proposition complète (sujet + verbe).
- Bien qu'il pleuvait, nous sommes sortis.
- even though est plus fort ; though peut aussi aller à la fin : C'est cher, though.
Choose: ___ it was raining, we went out. (followed by a full clause) · Choisissez : ___ il pleuvait, nous sommes sortis. (suivi d’une proposition complète)
Before a full clause (subject + verb), use “although”, not “despite”. · Avant une proposition complète (sujet + verbe), utilisez “although”, pas “despite”.
Translate into English: 虽然在下雨,我们还是出门了。 · Traduisez en anglais : 虽然在下雨,我们还是出门了。
Contrast + clause → although: “Although it was raining, we went out.” · Contraste + proposition → although : “Although it was raining, we went out.”
despite / in spite of
- Followed by a noun or -ing form — not a full clause.
- Despite the rain, we went out. In spite of being tired, she kept going.
- Not despite it was raining — use despite the rain.
despite / in spite of
- Suivi d'un nom ou d'une forme -ing — pas une proposition complète.
- Malgré la pluie, nous sommes sortis. En dépit d'être fatigué, elle continuait.
- Pas despite it was raining — utilisez despite the rain.
Complete: ___ the rain, we went out. (despite / although) · Complétez : ___ la pluie, nous sommes sortis. (despite / although)
Before a noun (“the rain”), use “despite” / “in spite of”. · Avant un nom (“the rain”), utilisez “despite” / “in spite of”.
Is this correct? “Despite it was raining, we went out.” · C’est correct ? “Despite it was raining, we went out.”
“despite” needs a noun/-ing, not a clause: “Despite the rain …” or “Although it was raining …”. · “despite” a besoin d’un nom/-ing, pas d’une proposition : “Despite the rain …” ou “Although it was raining …”.
however / nevertheless
- Link two separate sentences; usually first word + a comma.
- It was expensive. However, we bought it.
- Don't use however like but to glue two clauses together.
however / nevertheless
- Relient deux phrases séparées ; généralement premier mot + une virgule.
- C'était cher. Cependant, nous l'avons acheté.
- N'utilisez pas however comme but pour coller deux propositions ensemble.
Which contrast pattern fits? · Quel modèle de contraste convient ?
although + clause; despite + noun/-ing; however + a brand-new sentence. · although + proposition ; despite + nom/-ing ; however + une nouvelle phrase.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Although it rained, but we went out. → keep only one connector.
- ❌ Despite of the rain… → ✓ despite the rain / in spite of the rain — don't cross the two.
- ❌ It was expensive, however we bought it. → ✓ …expensive. However, we bought it.
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ Although it rained, but we went out. → gardez un seul connecteur.
- ❌ Despite of the rain… → ✓ despite the rain / in spite of the rain — ne mélangez pas les deux.
- ❌ It was expensive, however we bought it. → ✓ …cher. However, nous l'avons acheté.
Match the linker to what follows it. · Reliez le connecteur à ce qui suit.
although + clause; despite + noun/-ing; however starts a new sentence; though can close one. · although + proposition ; despite + nom/-ing ; however commence une nouvelle phrase ; though peut fermer une phrase.
Which sentence is correct? · Quelle phrase est correcte ?
despite + noun. For a clause, switch to although: Although it was raining… · despite + nom. Pour une proposition, passer à although : Although it was raining…
- although / even though + a clause (subject + verb).
- despite / in spite of + a noun / -ing.
- however / nevertheless link two separate sentences (with a comma).
- although / even though + une proposition (sujet + verbe).
- despite / in spite of + un nom / -ing.
- however / nevertheless relient deux phrases séparées (avec une virgule).
Write one sentence that shows a contrast, using “although” or “despite” correctly. · Écrivez une phrase montrant un contraste, en utilisant correctement “although” ou “despite”.
Example: “Although the test was hard, I passed.” · Exemple : “Although the test was hard, I passed.”