Emphasizing Contrast: However, Nevertheless, Still etc.
However, Nevertheless, Still, Despite, In spite of etc. are used to emphasize the contrast between two clauses. Even though these clauses of concession have similar meanings, their usage in the sentence differ.
However/Nevertheless
Position of However/ Nevertheless is as follows:
- Clause 1 + (,) + However/Nevertheless + (,) + Clause 2;
- However/Nevertheless + (,) + Clause 2.
Still
Still usually used after a comma:
Clause 1 + (,) + Still + Clause 2.
Despite/In spite of
Despite/In spite of has the following structure:
Despite/In spite of + noun/-ing form.
Despite/In spite of the fact
Despite/In spite of the fact that has the following structure:
Despite/In spite of the fact that + clause.
However/Nevertheless
- He was not the sharpest tool in the shed, however, he was promoted to unit manager.
- Mental illness is on the rise. Nevertheless, people can be diagnosed at early ages.
Still
- He has high cholestrol levels, still he eats fast food everyday.
- She gets a ridiculous salary, still she doesn’t complain.
Despite/In spite of
- Despite having a horrible soundtrack, the movie was a success.
- In spite of new technologies, traditional methods are still popular.
Despite/In spite of the fact that
- Despite the fact that he was capable of winning the game, he couldn’t.
- In spite of the fact that she has long-sighted glasses, she doesn’t use them.
However, Nevertheless, still, despite, in spite of etc. are used to emphasize contrast between two clauses. Even though these clauses of concession have similar meanings, their usage in the sentence differ.
- While However and Nevertheless share similar meanings, Nevertheless is used in formal situations;
- Still is used to express a surprising situation in contrast to the first clause;
- Despite and In spite of have the same meaning and they are used before nouns. But if they are followed by the fact that, they introduce clauses.
However, Nevertheless, Still etc. are used to emphasize contrast between two clauses. While Nevertheless is more formal; Still indicates something suprising in contrast to what was said before.
The form of However and Nevertheless is as follows:
Clause 1 + comma (,) + However/Nevertheless + comma (,) + Clause 2;
However/Nevertheless + comma (,) + Clause 2.
Still has this structure:
Clause 1 + comma (,) + Still + Clause 2.
Despite/In spite of has the following structure:
Despite/In spite of + noun/-ing form.
Despite/In spite of the fact that has the following structure:
Despite/In spite of the fact that + clause.
For example:
— “She was a brilliant student, however, she couldn’t pass her final exam.” = However indicates a contrast between two sentences.
— “Many people receive university education. Nevertheless, most of them can’t find good jobs.” = Nevertheless introduces a contrast in the second clause.
— “He couldn’t study much, still he got good marks.” = Still indicates a suprising situation.
Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.