How to say it · Linking words

Contrasting two ideas

You have said one thing and now you want to add an idea that pulls the other way. Pick the word that fits the room, from a chat to an essay.

6 ways to say it

Quick answer

Say but in everyday speech, however in writing after a full stop, and on the other hand to weigh two sides.

Two people at a kitchen table weigh two options, each holding a palm up beside a see-saw that tips between them.

How formalCasual, spokenFormal, written

butbest default thoughsoft add-on on the flip sidethe upside on the other handweighing two sides howeveressay and email in contrasttwo things compared

Way 1 · best default

but

Joins two ideas in one sentence. The second idea goes against the first. + a new clause.

How formalVery casual, spoken

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I'd love to come, but I'm working late.

The food was great, but the service was slow.

In a conversation

A: Are you coming tonight?
B: I'd like to, but I have an early start.

Common mistake

Not: I like the flat, but ~~however~~ it's too small.

Say: I like the flat, but it's too small.

"But" and "however" do the same job. Use one, never both.

Practice saying this

Next: though

Way 2 · soft add-on

though

At the end of a sentence, it adds a small "but". It softens the point. Spoken English.

How formalCasual, spoken

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

The film was good. A bit long, though.

I like her. She talks a lot, though.

In a conversation

A: How was the new restaurant?
B: Lovely food. Expensive, though.

Common mistake

Not: Though the phone is cheap, ~~but~~ it is slow.

Say: Though the phone is cheap, it is slow.

With "though" at the start, do not add "but" in the second part.

Practice saying this

Next: on the flip side

Way 3 · the upside

on the flip side

Turns to the opposite view of the same thing, often the good side of a bad thing. Friendly.

How formalMiddle

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Moving was stressful. On the flip side, I now have a garden.

The job pays less. On the flip side, I finish at five.

In a conversation

A: Another year of rain, I suppose.
B: Yes, but on the flip side, the park looks lovely.

Practice saying this

Next: on the other hand

Way 4 · weighing two sides

on the other hand

Often gives the second side after a first idea. You use it to weigh two options.

How formalMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

The flat is cheap. On the other hand, it is far from the office.

Trains are quick. On the other hand, they cost more than the bus.

In a conversation

A: Should we hire a new person?
B: We need the help. On the other hand, we have no budget.

Common mistake

Not: We could decide now. On the other ~~hand but~~ I think we should wait.

Say: We could decide now. On the other hand, I think we should wait.

"On the other hand" is a connector by itself. Do not add "but" after it.

Practice saying this

Next: however

Way 5 · essay and email

however

Begins a new sentence with an idea that goes against the last one. Writing and formal talk.

How formalFormal, written

ToneFormal

Use itAt work

Examples

The plan is cheap. However, it is unlikely to work.

Sales grew; however, profits stayed the same.

In a conversation

A: Is the report ready?
B: Nearly. However, the last figures are still missing.

Common mistake

Not: It was ~~cheap, however~~ it broke in a week.

Say: It was cheap. However, it broke in a week.

A comma is too weak before "however". Use a full stop or a semicolon, then a comma after it.

Practice saying this

Next: in contrast

Way 6 · two things compared

in contrast

Shows a clear difference between two things side by side. + a comma after it.

How formalVery formal, written

ToneFormal

Use itAt work

Examples

Sales rose in the north. In contrast, they fell in the south.

Tom is very quiet. In contrast, his sister never stops talking.

Common mistake

Not: In contrast of the north, the south lost money.

Say: In contrast to the north, the south lost money.

Say "in contrast to" + a noun. Or use "in contrast," with a comma at the start of a new sentence.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

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but though on the flip side on the other hand

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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