Contrastive Conjunctions

Read the dialogue!

Inana     : I've just found out that your sister can speak English very well.
Hasna    : Well, that's the truth. Even though, she never lives in an English speaking country, she can speak the language fluently.
Inana     : Wow! That's cool!

The word in bold in the dialogue above is a contrastive conjunction. The word is used to emphasize the contrast between the two ideas, that are she never lives in an English speaking country, and she can speak English fluently.

Besides even though, there are other contrastive conjunctions. Those are though, although, in spite of, despite.

Study the following information !

1. Although, even though, though

   The conjunctions are followed by clauses.

   Pattern : Although/even though + S + V

   Examples :

• Even though Nia had studied hard, she failed the test.
• The Harrys keep five cats although they live in a small flat.

2. In spite of, despite

   The conjunctions are followed by noun phrases.

   Pattern :

   1. In spite of/Despite + (possessive adjective) + V-ing  

       Examples :

• In spite of/Despite (his) having a bad cold, Tony still played tennis.
• In spite of/Despite (their) studying hard last night, they didn't get more than seven.

   2. In spite of/Despite + noun  
       Examples :

•  In spite of/Despite his bad cold, Tony still played tennis.
• In spite of/Despite their hard study, they didn't get more than seven.

   3. In spite of/Despite the fact + S + V
       Examples :

•  In spite of/Despite the fact Tony had a bad cold, he still played tennis.
• In spite of/Despite the fact they studied hard last night, they didn't get more than seven.