Contrast Complex Phrases - Although... but...
转折复句 — 虽然……、但是……
The contrast/concession phrases (Contrast/concession phrases) connect two opposite ideas: Although... but... / Despite... still... / Although... yet... / However...
Elements
How to use it
- For although, take a model sentence like Although he is very tired, he still went to the library. (Although he is very tired, he still went to the library.) and replace only the variable information.
- For but, take a model sentence like He studies well, but his health is not good. (He studies well, but his health is not good.) and replace only the variable information.
- After substitution, verify that 了 / 不 / 没 / 吗 remain coherent with the meaning and time of the sentence.
- Context: mainly in explanations and arguments.
Examples
虽然他很累，但他还是去了图书馆。
suīrán tā hěn lèi, dàn shì hái shì qù le túshūguǎn.
Although he is very tired, he still went to the library.
他学习很好，但是身体不太好。
tā xuéxí hěn hǎo ， dànshì shēntǐ bù tài hǎo 。
He studies well, but his health is not good.
他虽然聪明，但并不总是对的。
tā suīrán cōngmíng, dàn bù jǐn zhěng duì de.
Although he is intelligent, he is not always correct.
我们应该早点回家，但是外面天气很好。
wǒmen yīnggāi zǎodiǎn huí jiā ， dànshì wàibù tianqì hěn hǎo 。
We should go home early, but it is very nice outside.
Notes and exceptions
- Although — Concession: Although...
- but — Contrast: But...
Common mistakes
- Check the order of elements before speaking or writing.
- Use a complete sentence to validate the structure in real context.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(For **although**, take a model sentence like **Although he is very tired, he still went to the library.** (Although he is very tired, he still went to the library.) and replace only the variable information.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(For **but**, take a model sentence like **He studies well, but his health is not good.** (He studies well, but his health is not good.) and replace only the variable information.)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(After substitution, verify that 了 / 不 / 没 / 吗 remain coherent with the meaning and time of the sentence.)
4. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Context: mainly in explanations and arguments.)