ON THE OTHER HAND, WHILE, WHEREAS

These words or phrases have similar uses, but the grammar is not quite the same. On
the other hand is a conjunctive adverb. It is used to compare two situations or two
people and to show that there is an important difference between them.

In many Middle Eastern countries, it is quite common for parents to find

suitable brides and grooms for their children. On the other hand, arranged
marriages are unusual in the West.
I like living in the city. My wife, on the other hand, prefers the countryside.

The same idea can be expressions using the conjunctions while and whereas.

While arranged marriages are quite unusual in the West, they are quite
common in many Middle Eastern countries.
I like living in the city, while / whereas my wife prefers the countryside.
While / whereas English has just five vowel sounds, some languages have
30 or more.
There are just five vowel sounds in English. On the other hand, some
languages have 30 or more.

As you can see, there is an important difference between these three sentence
connectors. While and whereas are conjunctions. They connect two clauses. On the
other hand is not a conjunction. It goes at the beginning of the second clause and is
usually separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.

It can also go in the middle of the sentence. In that case we use two commas to set it
off.

In many western countries, the elderly live in retirement homes run by

health professionals. In India, on the other hand, they live with their
children and grandchildren.

Other conjunctive adverbs that can be used to express same or similar ideas
are: nevertheless, however and in contrast.
TRANSITION WORDS: SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCE
A transition word ( a connective adverb) transitions the reader from the thought in
one sentence to a similar thought in the next. The adverbial is an adverb (-ly,
-wise) or a prepositional phrase.

This apple is tart. Similarly, this one is sour. (Adv)

This apple is tart. In the same way, this one is sour. (prep phrase)

That orange is delicious. Likewise, this apple is very flavorful. (Adv)

That orange is delicious. Equally, this apple is very flavorful.(Adv)

This orange is flavorful. In a similar manner, this apple is very tasty. (prep
phrase)

These transition words, called connective adverbials, are used to relate the
information in two clauses. The adverb relates to the entire clause rather than
the verb within the clause.
The apple is red. In contrast, the orange is orange. (prep phrase)

Some people think the apple is orange. On the contrary, the apple is red. (prep
phrase)

While / Whereas the orange is high in fiber, the apple is not. (prep phrase)

The orange is high in fiber. However, the apple is not. (connective adverb)

On the one hand the lemon is high in fiber, on the other hand it is too bitter to
eat. "both sides of the coin"