Grammar：Although, But

[2021.03.31] 發表

【明報專訊】Pat and MoMo were on a mission assigned by Dr Panda to explore Mars.

Pat: I am so thrilled. My hands are trembling. It has been a while since I last went to Mars.

MoMo: Me too! Although going to Mars is more or less a daily routine for me, I am still sitting on the edge of my seat!

Pat: Are we going to meet aliens? What should we do if we meet them? Should we pull our guns out?

MoMo: Calm down. I don't think we are encountering any threats, but we should probably arm ourselves up.

Pat: Right. I am bringing the pistol with me. Where are we heading?

MoMo: We are exploring the cave over there.

Pat: It looks extremely mysterious and tempting. I wonder if we could find any peculiar creatures inside! Wait... Is that a creature over there?

MoMo: Oh my god! Guns up! That creature looks aggressive! Prepare to shoot on my demand!

Dr Panda: (Slowly walks towards them) Chill out, guys. Although you were right to stay alert, you terrified me! I am glad that you have not pulled the trigger yet.

Pat: Opps! Sorry!

■English highway﹕

We use both ''although'' and ''but'' to link two contrasting ideas. They should not be put in the same sentence. We usually put ''but'' in the middle of the sentence.

e.g. Although the weather is cold, they did not abandon the plan to go camping.

The weather is hot, but they insist on having a barbeque.

■Gear up

Connect the two contrasting sentences using the word in the brackets.

1. (Although) The watch was expensive. The man bought the watch.

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2. (But) Bill intended to go swimming. The swimming pool was closed.

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(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

tremble (v) 發抖

pistol (n) 手槍