1. Expressing contrast

2. CONNECTORS OF CONTRAST
However
Nevertheless
On the one hand / on the other hand
In spite of / despite
Although /even though
But

3. CONNECTORS OF CONTRAST
Some connectors have got similar meanings but:
are followed by different structures.
Take different places in the sentence.   

4. subject + verb (A clause)
ALTHOUGH/ EVEN THOUGH
  Even though and although are followed by a clause.
although/ even though
subject
verb
subject + verb (A clause)
Although I
am poor,
I am happy.
they
played well,
they lost.
Even though
she
was tired,
she went out. he
eats a lot,
he is thin.

5. subject + verb (A clause) subject + verb (A clause)
In spite of and despite 
Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase or a gerund.
despite/ in spite of
the fact (that)
subject
verb
subject + verb (A clause)
Despite
the fact that I
am poor,
I am happy.
the fact
they
played well,
they lost.
In spite of
she
was tired,
she went out. he
eats a lot,
he is thin.
despite/ in spite of
-ing form
subject + verb (A clause)
Despite
being poor
I am happy.
playing well
they lost.
In spite of
being tired
she went out.
eating a lot
he is thin.

6. This form is less common but possible:
despite/ in spite of
Noun
subject + verb
Despite
my poverty
I am happy.
their good play,
they lost.
In spite of
her tiredness
she went out.
his great appetite,
he is thin.

7. Connectors are usually written in specific places in a sentence:
At the beginning of a sentence:
however, nevertheless, on the one hand, on the  other  hand.
Either at the beginning or in the middle:
despite, in spite of, although, even though.
Only in the middle of a sentence:
but

8. Let´s practice… ______ he´s only 12, David is taller than his mother.
Although
In spite of
We went out _____ the rain.
Despite
Even though
_______ its financial problems, the company is successful.

9. He still loves her _____ everything.
Although
In spite of
I won´t go to the party _____ I was invited.
Even though
Despite
________ her illness, James went to school.
________ he´s 86, he has an excellent heath.

10. You can copy down my answers ______ I´m not sure they´re right.
Although
In spite of
Buses are still running, ______ the snow.
Even though
Despite
I like my apartment a lot _________ it is quite small.

11. Let´s practice… __________ she is beautiful, everybody hates her.
The children slept deeply __________ the noise.
__________ earning a low salary, Sara helped her parents.
Jane rarely sees Alan __________, they are neighbors.
Kate didn´t do well in the exam ___________ working very hard.
Although
in spite of
In spite of
although
in spite of
__________ I was very hungry, I couldn´t eat.
_____________ the difficulty, they managed to solve the problem.
Liza never talked to him __________ she loved him.
___________ it was cold, Marie didn´t put on her coat.
Although
In spite of
although
Although

12. CREDITS