Contrast Phrases - Although… but…, Despite… still…, Anyway…, Yet…
转折复句 — 尽管……、但是、可是……
Contrast and concession sentences relate two opposite ideas: Although… but… / Despite… still… / Anyway… / Yet…
Elements
How to use it
- For but, take a model sentence like He studies well, but he is not in good health. (He studies well, but his health is not very good.) and replace only the variable information.
- Copy a model sentence (He studies well, but he is not in good health.) and replace the subject/verb/time in keeping the same structure.
- After replacement, verify that 了 / 不 / 没 / 吗 remain coherent with the meaning and time of the sentence.
- Context: especially in explanations and arguments.
Examples
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 he is not in good health.
我想去，可是没时间
wǒ xiǎng qù, kěshì méi shíjiān
I want to go, but I don't have time.
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's very nice outside.
他很聪明，可是不努力
tā hěn cōngming, kěshì bù nǔlì
He is intelligent, but not hardworking.
Notes and exceptions
- but — Contrast: But…
Common mistakes
- Check the order of elements before speaking or writing.
- Use a complete sentence to validate the structure in a 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 **but**, take a model sentence like **He studies well, but he is not in good health.** (He studies well, but his health is not very good.) and replace only the variable information.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Copy a model sentence (**He studies well, but he is not in good health.**) and replace the subject/verb/time in keeping the same structure.)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(After replacement, 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: especially in explanations and arguments.)