While

Compared with

Preferred

a clear difference

Preferring instead of

Both

In contrast 

--

was the most popular--

the least popular --

( In the 18-30 age group, gardening was the least popular activity.)

than any other---

(Noun phrase + be+ more/less popular than+ noun phrase)



Two groups ( 18-30 and over 50s)

The ratio of 18-30 year olds listening to music ( 27 %) was much higher than the over 60s ( 2%).

Noun phrase+ be+ much+ more/less/larger/smaller than noun phrase

or 

Noun phrase + be expression of quantity +more/less/ larger/ smaller than noun phrase. 







-is  far greater than before

- while,.... an opposite trend

- the most popular

- less than half 



Can you use although and but?