BUT

But links two contrasting ideas. It is normally used at the beginning of the sentence.

I worked very hard on my paper, but I didn’t get a good grade.

 

HOWEVER

Howevercan come at the beginning or end of a sentence. It must be separated off by commas.

I worked very hard on my paper. However, I didn’t get a good grade.
I didn’t get a good grade. I worked very hard on my paper, however.

 

ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, THOUGH

These expressions introduce a subordinate clause of contrast. If the subordinate clause comes first, it is separated from the main clause by a comma.

Although I worked very hard on my paper, I didn’t get a good grade.
I didn’t get a good grade even though I worked very hard on my paper.

‼ Note: thoughcan be used after a comma at the end of a separate sentence that express something surprising.

We lived in the middle of a city. We still had a large garden, though.

 

WHEREAS, WHILE

Whereas and whileare used to compare two things and show how they are different.

She likes football whereas I prefer tennis.
My sister is very like my father while I take after my mother.

Whileis also used in the same way as although.

While computers are important, we shouldn’t let them rule our lives.

 

DESPITE / IN SPITE OF

These expressions must be followed by a noun or -ing form. Despite is slightly more formal.

In spite of the fact that they are expensive, many people want to buy designer clothes.
Despite all the research that has been done, we still haven’t found a cure for cancer.