Whereas
'Whereas' is a bit of a formal word and if you use it correctly in
formal writing, it's impressive.
It's used to talk about two different things and to show a contrast
between them.
It's not usually used to give different opinions about one thing.
• London is exciting whereas Paris
is stylish. (We're talking about two different cities, and giving an
opinion about each of them. This is correct.)
If we want to give two opinions about one thing, we can use 'although'.
• London is exciting although it's
rainy. NOT: London is exciting whereas it's rainy. (This is giving two
different opinions about the same city, so we don't use 'whereas'.)
Here's another example.
• I like coffee whereas my husband
likes tea.
• I like coffee although I also like
tea.
Let's review!
Do you need 'whereas'
or 'although'? Put in 'whereas' if possible - otherwise put in 'although'.
1. She's happy _____________________________ she's not rich.
2. William is tall ___________________________________ Lucy is
quite small.
3. My job is fun ____________________________________ it's long hours.
4. Cats are good pets ______________________________ they are very
independent.
5. This book is interesting _______________________ that one is
really boring.
6. This phone is excellent ______________________ it doesn't
have a great camera.
7. The countryside is peaceful _______________________ the city
is more interesting.
8. My maths class is hard ______________________ my English class
is really easy.
9. The party was good __________________________________ it finished
early.
10. Scotland is generally cool ____________________________ Spain is
generally warm.
Answers
1. She's happy although she's not rich.
2. William is tall whereas Lucy is quite small.
3. My job is fun although it's long hours.
4. Cats are good pets although they are very independent.
5. This book is interesting whereas that one is really boring.
6. This phone is excellent although it doesn't have a great camera.
7. The countryside is peaceful whereas the city is more interesting.
8. My maths class is hard whereas my English class is really easy.
9. The party was good although it finished early.
10. Scotland is generally cool whereas Spain is generally warm.