English grammar
Weighing up: on the one hand… on the other; besides; whereas
Weigh up advantages and disadvantages, using on the one hand… on the other, besides, whereas and then again.
From the scene On the one hand… on the other…
In short
Weigh up with on the one hand… on the other. Add a point with besides; contrast with whereas.
Your turn
Which one goes with second side?
Options: and on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep · on the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work · besides, I've lost count of where I work
Show answer
second side → and on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep
How it works
On the one hand… on the other (hand) presents two sides. Besides adds another point in the same direction.
Good to know
Whereas contrasts two people or things inside ONE sentence. But then again brings in a different angle.
first side on the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work
Javi
On the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work.
Por un lado, el rodaje me da mucho trabajo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep · Besides, I've lost count of where I work · On the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work
Show answer
Javi
On the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work.
Por un lado, el rodaje me da mucho trabajo.
second side and on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep
Elena
And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep.
Y por otro, no te deja ni dormir.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Besides, I've lost count of where I work · And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep · On the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work
Show answer
Elena
And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep.
Y por otro, no te deja ni dormir.
adding a point besides, I've lost count of where I work
Javi
That's true. Besides, I've lost count of where I work.
Eso es verdad. Además, ya no sé en cuántos sitios trabajo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's true. (blank).
Options: Besides, I've lost count of where I work · The filming gives me lots of work · And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep
Show answer
Javi
That's true. Besides, I've lost count of where I work.
Eso es verdad. Además, ya no sé en cuántos sitios trabajo.
contrast in one sentence it's an advantage for Javi, whereas for Doña Elena…
Nuria
It's an advantage for Javi, whereas for Doña Elena...
Para Javi es una ventaja. En cambio, para Doña Elena...
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)...
Options: It's an advantage for Javi, whereas for Doña Elena · On the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work · And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep
Show answer
Nuria
It's an advantage for Javi, whereas for Doña Elena...
Para Javi es una ventaja. En cambio, para Doña Elena...
another angle but then again, you're in all the photos
Nuria
But then again, you're in all the photos.
Pero, por otro lado, usted sale en todas las fotos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: And on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep · But then again, you're in all the photos · The filming gives me lots of work
Show answer
Nuria
But then again, you're in all the photos.
Pero, por otro lado, usted sale en todas las fotos.
Common mistake
Not Whereas or Despite here. Adds one more point, same direction.
That's true. Besides, I've lost count of where I work.
Eso es verdad. Además, ya no sé en cuántos sitios trabajo.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| first side | on the one hand, the filming gives me lots of work |
|---|---|
| second side | and on the other, it doesn't even let you sleep |
| adding a point | besides, I've lost count of where I work |
| contrast in one sentence | it's an advantage for Javi, whereas for Doña Elena… |
| another angle | but then again, you're in all the photos |
More lines from the story
- ElenaOn the one hand, I've got a headache. On the other... I've already got an agent!Por un lado, me duele la cabeza. Por otro... ¡ya tengo representante!