MULTIMEDIA-ENGLISH
	ACTIVITY SHEET (created by the user: Profe)

Before doing this activity you may need to read the text you will find at the end

SmartMemo

How to express contrast with free connectors Focus Grammar Description 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. 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