The conjunctionsbutandalthough/thoughconnect ideas that contrast.Whereasis also used but it is not as common:
The new city hall is amazingbutit’s going to cost a lot.
He’s quite short,whereashis sister is tall.
But
Butis a coordinating conjunction used to connect ideas that contrast. Coordinating conjunctions connect items which are the same grammatical type.
main idea | contrast | |
I want to lose weight Lara cooked roast beef for me Edinburgh is an interesting place |
|
I hate diets. I don’t eat meat. it takes a long time to get there. |
We can’t usehoweveras a conjunction instead ofbutto connect words and phrases:
My teacher is very nicebuta bit strict.
Not:My teacher is very nice however a bit strict.
See also:
But
Although/though
Although/thoughcan be used to contrast ideas.Although/thoughare subordinating conjunctions used to connect a subordinate clause to a main clause, likeafter, as, before, if, since, that, even though, even if.
main idea |
| contrast |
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| |
|
|
Thealthough/thoughclause can come first.
Though | contrast | main idea |
|
| |
people say it’s dangerous, | I think it’s an amazing country. |
See also:
Conjunctions
Position of subordinating conjunctions
Althoughorthough?
Butoralthough?
Butoralthough?
Butcannot be used in the same way asalthough/though. We usebutto connect items which are the same grammatical type (coordinating conjunction).
The order of clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions cannot be reversed:
Althoughit rained a lot, we’ve still enjoyed our holiday.
We’ve still enjoyed our holiday,althoughit rained a lot.
It rained a lotbutwe’ve still enjoyed our holiday.
Not:But it rained a lot, we’ve still enjoyed our holiday.
Althoughcan sound more formal thanbut.Thoughis much more common in speaking than in writing.Althoughis much more common in writing than in speaking.
Even though,even if
Even thoughandeven ifare also used as subordinating conjunctions in the same way asalthough/though. Even thoughis similar toalthoughbut it makes a stronger contrast:
Even thoughI cycle to work, I don’t feel very fit.
Even ifmeans ‘whether or not’:
Even ifyou run, you’ll still be late.(You’ll be late whether you run or not.)
I feel tiredeven ifI go to bed early.(I feel tired whether I go to bed early or not.)
See also:
Whether
Conjunctions: typical errors
We useandto connect words in a list and to connect phrases and clauses in a sentence:
He loves cycling, hikingandball games.
Not:He loves cycling, hiking, ball games.
See also:
And
Adding withand
After conjunctions referring to time, such aswhen, onceandas soon as, we use the present simple when we refer to the future:
It will be summerwhen we seeyou again.
Not: …when we will see you again.
They’ll leaveonce the lecture finishes.
Not: …once the lecture will finish.
As soon as I hearany news, I’ll call you.
Not:As soon as I’ll hear any news…
Duringis a preposition, not a conjunction, so it must be followed by a noun or a pronoun:
She studieswhileshe is on the train.
Not:She studies during she is on the train.
See also:
Conjunctions: time
When we use aso-clause to connect a cause/reason to a result, theso-clause must come second:
I bought a new computer gamesoI have no money left.
Not:So I have no money left I bought a new computer game.
See also:
Conjunctions: causes, reasons and results
Because
Since
As
We usealthough/though, notbut, to connect a subordinate clause to a main clause:
AlthoughI’m tall, I’m not as tall as Bill.
Not:But I’m tall, I’m not as tall as Bill.
See also:
Butoralthough?
Whenas well asorin addition toare followed by clauses, the verb is in the-ingform:
[from a brochure advertising an English course in London]
As well as livingwith a family, you practise your English.
Not:As well as you live with a family…
In addition to beinga wonderful seafood restaurant, it had an amazing view.
Not:In addition to it was a wonderful seafood restaurant…
See also:
Adding withas well asandin addition to
We cannot usehoweverto connect words and phrases:
The area around Cannes has smallbutnice beaches.
Not: …has small however nice beaches.
See also:
Conjunctions: causes, reasons and results
Position of subordinating conjunctions
Whenorif?
We only use one conjunction to connect words or phrases:
Sinceshe had the day off work, she went out for lunch with some friends.
Not:Since she had the day off work, so she went out for lunch…