Understanding Linking Devices for Contrast

Linking devices are essential for expressing contrasts in writing and speech. Words and phrases such as 'however,' 'although,' and 'despite' serve to connect contrasting ideas, making them clearer and more engaging. For example, one might say, 'Dean and I were the best of friends, but sometimes we completely disagreed,' which highlights the unexpectedness of their disagreements. Additionally, phrases like 'despite being the best of friends' offer a way to juxtapose ideas without the need for a subject and verb, thereby enhancing sentence variety.