Contrasting ideas: 'although', 'despite' and others

Do you know how to connect two contrasting ideas with words like although and despite? Enhance your knowledge with a lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Look at these examples to see how although, even though, in spite of, and despite are used:

• Although it was raining, we decided to go hiking.

• Even though it was raining, we decided to go hiking.

• In spite of the rain, we went hiking.

• Despite the rain, we went hiking.

• It was raining. We went hiking anyway, though.

Grammar explanation - Contrasting ideas: 'although', 'despite' and others

Although, even though, in spite of, and despite are used to link two contrasting ideas or show that one fact makes the other surprising. They can be placed either at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

• Despite the cold, we had a great day at the beach.

• We had a great day at the beach, despite the cold.

The main difference between although, even though, in spite of, and despite is the structure that follows them.

1. in spite of / despite

After in spite of and despite, we use a noun, a gerund (the -ing form of a verb), or a pronoun.

• They kept playing, in spite of the rain.

• In spite of feeling tired, she stayed up late.

• Despite being sick, he went to work.

• The concert was delayed. In spite of that, everyone had a great time.

It is common to use in spite of and despite with the expression the fact that, followed by a subject and a verb.

• In spite of the fact that she studied hard, she didn't pass the test.

• Despite the fact that he was late, they waited for him.

2. although / even though

After although and even though, we use a subject and a verb. Even though is slightly stronger and more emphatic than although.

• I liked the movie, although I thought the ending was too sudden.

• Although they live close by, we rarely see them.

• Even though it was raining, they went for a walk.

• She didn’t get into the program, even though she had excellent grades.

3. Though

Though can be used in the same way as although.

• Though the weather was cold, we went camping.

Though can also be placed at the end of the second phrase. This is more common in spoken English.

• The party wasn’t great. The music was good, though.

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