SESSION VIII: ENGLISH LANGUAGE II YEAR 1

THE LINKING OF DEVICES AND COMMENTS:

although, however,
actually, anyway

Lect. Rui Abilio

These sentence connectors are used to emphasize the
fact that the second point contradicts with the first.
1. Although / even though
• Although, is used to link two contrasting ideas or
show that one fact makes the other fact surprising.
They can all be used at the beginning or in the
middle of the sentence. 
• After although and even though, we use a subject
and a verb. Even though is slightly stronger and
more emphatic than although.
• The main difference between although, even
though, in spite of and despite is that they are used
with different structures. 
Note: although and though mean exactly the same
and are used the same, but THOUGH is more
informal and more common when talking, and
ALTHOUGH is more formal and more common
when writing. Notice that (AL) THOUGH and BUT
are both conjunctions and mean the same, but
they go with different sentences:
2. However vs although
• However and although are two English words that both
loosely mean "but". Unfortunately, knowing exactly when
you should use however vs although is something that most
native English speakers would struggle to explain.
• The main difference between these two words is
that however can stand by itself at the beginning of a
sentence, with a comma after it. Although can't do this.
• The words also have slightly different meanings:
• Although means "in spite of the fact that...".
• However means "but".
• The actual rules about whether to
use however or although are quite complicated, but there is
an easy rule that works in almost all situations
3. Actually
• Actually is often used in speaking as a discourse
marker. We use it to indicate a new topic of
conversation or a change or contrast in what is
being talked about. We also use actually to give
more detail about a topic. We do not use it to refer
to time:
• Actually I cant understand that the meaning of
"though" is "however".
• Actually, I am going to stay at home. I’ve got a lot
of work to do on the computer.
• Well, actually I’m looking for a book on skiing in
Austria.
4.Actually vs Anyway
 
• The difference between actually and anyway is
that actually is (obsolete) actively while anyway is
(obsolete) in any way.
As adverbs the difference
between actually and anyway is that actually is
(modal) in act or in fact; really; in truth; positively
while anyway is (obsolete) in any way.
Usage notes
• * In some other languages a word of similar spelling
means "now" or "currently"; (e.g., Portuguese
"atualmente", Spanish "actualmente", French
"actuellement", German "aktuell", Italian
"attualmente",). This leads many non-native speakers
of English to use "actually" when they mean "now" or
"currently". * Some commentators have: *
• In practice, actually and its synonyms are often used
to insinuate that the following is either unusual or
contrary to a norm or preceding assumption, or to
merely preface an overconfident opinion contrasting
a previous statement or norm (as per 'vacuous
emphasis' note above). : 
 Examples:
This is actually a really beautiful song. (contrasting
opinion) : 
Actually , I'm not from France - I'm from Japan.
(contrary from assumption) : 
At the check-out, the cashier actually greeted me
for once. (contrary from norm).
References:
EASTWOOD, J. (1994). Guide to English Grammar.
Oxford University Press: OUP
SOARS, J. &L (1989). Headway. Intermediate.
Oxford University Press: OUP