Connectors of addition and contrast: además, sin embargo

However is sin embargo, even though is aunque, and despite is a pesar de:

• Estudié mucho; sin embargo, no aprobé. - I studied hard; however, I didn't pass.
• A pesar de la lluvia, salimos. - Despite the rain, we went out.

Connectors at a glance

The whole page on one screen. Register matters: an essay wants no obstante, a chat wants encima.

Adding: además, es más, encima

These stack a second point on the first:

Es más raises the stakes; encima adds a complaint. Pick by setting:

Contrasting: sin embargo, en cambio, al contrario

These turn the reader the other way:

Sin embargo and no obstante mean the same; only the register differs:

En cambio or al contrario

En cambio compares two things. Al contrario corrects what was just said, usually after a negative. Por el contrario can do either job:

• Yo prefiero el té; ella, en cambio, prefiere el café. - I prefer tea; she, on the other hand, prefers coffee.
• No es aburrido; al contrario, es fascinante. - It isn't boring; on the contrary, it's fascinating.