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How to express contrast with free connectors

How to express contrast with free connectors
Activity SmartMemo
Activity SmartMemo
Practise expressing contrast with free connectors. Remember that they all mean the same, the only difference is the different places they can have inside a sentence.
 

Content preview

Instructions

1- Look at the sentences and try to say the same idea in English 2- Move your mouse over the black button to check your answer. 3- If you were right, click on the green button, if wrong, click on the red.
 

FREE CONNECTORS

The same idea as ALTHOUGH, but as a free connector, can be expressed with these 6 connectors:

ON THE OTHER HAND
      It's not a very nice flat. On the other hand, it's very cheap
      I wanted to go, but on the other hand, I was too tired, so I stayed at home
Optionally, you can use it with ON THE ONE HAND with the other contrasting idea. This dual construction emphizes the contrast:
      On the one hand I wanted to go, but on the other hand, I was too tired

NEVERTHELESS
HOWEVER

YET
THOUGH
ANYWAY
 
They all have the same meaning, but they differ in the place they take inside the sentence:
 
BETWEEN TWO SENTENCES   Nevertheless, However, On the other hand, Yet
      He says he needs money. XXX, he has 2 houses and 2 cars
 
IN THE MIDDLE OF A COMPOUND SENTENCE   Nevertheless, However, On the other hand, Though
      I was getting bored at the party. When she arrived, XXX, I knew it would be fun
 
AT THE END Though, Anyway       (but never "although")
      It's a bit strange. I like it, XXX
 
None of these can go at the beginning of the sentence

 


For Spanish Speakers


BUT (c) = pero
(AL)THOUGH (c) = aunque, a pesar de que
IN SPITE OF (p) = a pesar de    (seguido de un sintagma nominal o -ing)
 
NEVERTHELESS (fc) = Sin embargo, de todas formas,
HOWEVER
(fc) = Sin embargo, de todas formas,
YET / STILL (fc) = Sin embargo, de todas formas,
THOUGH (fc) = Sin embargo, de todas formas,
ANYWAY (fc) = Sin embargo, de todas formas,

ON THE OTHER HAND  (fc) = por otra parte, por otro lado (pero expresando contraste)
- Me gusta Holanda. Por otra parte, hace demasiado frío para vivir allí = I like the Netherlands. On the other hand, it's too cold to live there
- Necesitamos más dinero. Por otra parte, también necesitamos más ideas = We need more money. Besides, we also need more ideas.  (BESIDES= además)
En el segundo caso no hay contraste ni contradicción aparente, sino solamente cambio de tema o extensión del tema, así que ese segundo uso español no se corresponde con el inglés ON THE OTHER HAND, que siempre expresa contradicción (así que mucho cuidado porque los hablantes de español a menudo meten la pata aquí)

YET/STILL (fc)= Sin embargo
No confundamos estos conectores con los adverbios de tiempo, el lugar que ocupan en la frase es diferente y su significado y función es totalmente distinta:
UNA frase: adverbio
- I haven't finished yet = todavía no he terminado (yet va al final)
- She's still watching the TV = todavía está viendo la tele (still va delante de los verbos normales y detrás de los especiales)
DOS frases: free connector
+ I'm reading this book. Yet, I don't like it much = estoy leyendo este libro. Sin embargo, no me gusta mucho
+ I'd like to go with you. Still, I must stay and help my mother = me gustaría acompañarte. Sin embargo me tengo que quedar a ayudar a mi madre

 

Items

Item Match Comments
China es un mercado muy grande. Por otra parte, el idioma hace las cosas muy complicadas. China is a very big market. On the other hand, the language makes things very complicated.
David me escuchó. No obstante no me creyó. David listened to me. Nevertheless, he didn't believe me. also: HOWEVER or YET
Dice que necesita dinero. Sin embargo tiene dos casas y tres coches. He says he needs money. Yet, he has two houses and three cars. also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Dices que me quieres y sin embargo no quieres casarte conmigo. You say you love me, and yet, you don't want to marry me. also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
You say you love me. Nevertheless, you don't...
We don't say: and however...
YET / STILL go between both sentences but they can use the form - . Yet, -  or  - , and yet, -
- You love me. Yet, you don't... = You love me, and yet, you don't...
El día es bueno. Sin embargo, hace viento. The day is nice. However, it's windy. also: NEVERTHELESS or YET
El sol está brillando. De todas maneras hace frío (poner al final) The sun is shining. It's cold anyway. also: THOUGH
Ellos tienen todo. Sin embargo siempre quieren más. They have everything. Nevertheless, they always want more. also: HOWEVER or YET
Era una película estúpida, y sin embargo, un éxito. It was a stupid film, and yet, a success. also: NEVERTHELESS
We don't say: and however
Eres la mar de imbécil. Sin embargo, te quiero. You're so stupid. Yet, I love you. also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Es bonito, pero de todas maneras no es muy útil (poner al final) It's beautiful, but not very useful anyway. also: THOUGH
Es la mesa perfecta. Demasiado grande para mi casa por desgracia. (poner al final) It's the perfect table. Too big for my house though. also: ANYWAY
Es muy caro. De todas formas me lo voy a comprar (poner al final) It's very expensive. I'm going to buy it though also: ANYWAY
Es un coche muy bueno. Sin embargo, es demasiado caro. It's a very good car. Nevertheless, it's too expensive. also: However / Yet
Es un poco raro. De todas formas me gusta. (poner al final) It's a bit strange. I like it anyway. also: THOUGH
Gracias de todos modos Thanks anyway also: THOUGH
pero esto es más bien una frase hecha, y aunque se puede decir "Thanks though", no es frecuente usarlo.
Kyle es muy joven. De todas maneras es muy inteligente (poner al final) Kyle is very young. He's very intelligent though also: ANYWAY
La casa era horrorosa. Los muebles, sin embargo, eran muy bonitos. The house was terrible. The furniture, nevertheless, was very nice. also: HOWEVER or THOUGH
Los leones son muy peligrosos. Este leon, sin embargo, es muy simpático. Lions are very dangerous. This lion, though, is very nice. also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Me gusta esa camisa. Sin embargo es demasiado grande para mí. I like that shirt. Yet, it's too big for me. also: NEVERTHELESS, HOWEVER
Me gustan las fiestas pero de todas maneras estoy muy cansado (poner al final) I like parties, but I'm too tired anyway also: THOUGH
Mike es muy raro. Sin embargo, es muy majo. Mike is very strange. Yet, he's very nice also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Mis hijos son todos delgados. Yo, sin embargo, estoy muy gordo. My children are all slim. I, however, am very fat. also: NEVERTHELESS or THOUGH
Necesitamos más cerveza. Por otra parte también necesitamos comida. We need more beer. Besides, we need food too. no podemos usar ON THE OTHER HAND porque aquí no hay contraste ni contradicción entre ambas cosas, sino que se añade una a la otra.
BESIDES (= además)
No debía de quererte, y sin embargo te quiero. I shouldn't love you. Nevertheless, I love you. also: HOWEVER or YET
No es un piso barato. Por otro lado, es precioso. It's not a cheap flat. On the other hand, it's so nice.
No recuerdo su nombre. De todas formas sé quién es (poner al final) I don't know his name. I know him anyway. also: THOUGH
No tengo hambre. Por otro lado he comido dos tapas esta mañana. I'm not hungry. Besides, I had two tapas this morning. aquí no hay contraste, es más, ambas idean se apoyan, así que no podemos usar ON THE OTHER HAND, sino BESIDES (= además)
Por un lado estoy triste, pero por otro lado me alegro por ella. On the one hand I'm sad, but on the ohter hand I'm happy about her.
Quería el grande, pero por otro lado, necesitaba el pequeño. I wanted the big one, but on the other hand I needed the small one.
Quería ir, pero por otro lado estaba demasiado cansado, así que me quedé en casa. I wanted to go, but on the other hand I was too tired, so I stayed at home.
Quiero ir de paseo. Sin embargo está lloviendo (poner al final) I want to go for a walk. It's raining though. also: ANYWAY
Sabía que era demasiado tarde, pero de todas maneras fui. (poner al final) I knew it was too late. I went there anyway. also: THOUGH
Sí, me gusta mucho. Pero llévatelo de todas maneras (poner al final) Yes, I like it a lot. Take it anyway. also: THOUGH
Sus padres son italianos. Sin embargo él nació en Colombia (poner al final) His parents are Italian. He was born in Colombia though also: ANYWAY
Un vestido raro, y sin embargo sexy A strange dress. Yet sexy also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Yo estaba bien. Cuando llegué allí, sin embargo, estaba agotado. I was fine. When I arrived there, though, I was exhausted. also: NEVERTHELESS or HOWEVER
Total number of items: 36

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