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

Do you know how to connect two contrasting ideas with words like although and despite? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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

Although we don't agree, I think she's a brilliant speaker.
Even though we don't agree, I think she's a brilliant speaker.
In spite of the law, people continue to use mobile phones while driving.
Despite the law, people continue to use mobile phones while driving.
It's illegal to use mobile phones while driving. People still do it, though.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1: 'in spite of', 'despite', 'although', 'even though' and 'though': Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

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

Despite the rain, we enjoyed the festival.
We enjoyed the festival, despite the rain.

The main difference between although, even though, in spite of and despite is that they are used with different structures.

in spite of / despite

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

They never made much money, in spite of their success.
In spite of the pain in his leg, he completed the marathon.
Despite having a headache, I had a great birthday.
The train was cancelled. In spite of that, we arrived on time.

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

In spite of the fact that he worked very hard, he didn't pass the exam.
Despite the fact that he worked very hard, he didn't pass the exam.

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 enjoyed the course, although I would have liked more grammar practice.
Although we saw each other every day, we didn't really know each other.
Even though she spoke very quietly, he understood every word.
She didn't get the job, even though she had all the necessary qualifications.

though

Though can be used in the same way as although.

Though I wasn't keen on the film, I thought the music was beautiful.

Though can also go at the end of the second phrase. This way of expressing contrasting ideas is most common in spoken English.

We waited ages for our food. The waiter was really nice, though.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2: 'in spite of', 'despite', 'although', 'even though' and 'though': Grammar test 2

Try another grammar lesson

Language level

B1 Intermediate

B2 Upper intermediate

yo in despite explanation says ''After in spite of and despite, we use a noun, gerund (-ing form of a verb) or a pronoun'' but in the second grammar test says ''_____ she's arriving late, she still wants to eat when she gets here''

and the correct answer is although.

PD: in spanish the two therms (although and despite) have a similar meaning (it's confuse)

Hello freddy mercury,

As the explanation says, after in spite of and despite we use an object, which can be a noun, an -ing form or a pronoun. After although we use a clause (subject + verb).

In your example, the answer is although because a clause follows it ('she is arriving late'). You cannot use in spite of or despite because of this.

I'm not sure what the problem is here - the examples follows the rules.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

1-Although + subject + verb

- Although Barberin wasn't Remi’s mother, he continued to remember her and treat her as a mother even after he found his real family.

2-Even though + subject + verb

Note: Even though (more emphasis) > Although

- Even though Barberin wasn't Remi’s biological mother, he continued to remember her and treat her as a mother even after he found his real family.

3-Though = although

Note: At the end of a sentence: tough. ----> add a softer after thought.

- Barberin wasn't Remi’s mother. He continued to remember her and treat her as a mother even after he found his real family , though.

4-In spite of / despite

Note: In spite of = despite:

In spite of / despite + noun / pronoun / gerund (ing)

-In spite of the fact that Barberin wasn’t his mother, Remi continued to remember her and treat her as a mother even after he found his real family.

thank you brother, that's good explanation

Сould you understand for what this rules and how often this rules use?

Hi, can I seek help on the use of "despite" in the following sentence?

Despite the weather being very hot, the park was...

Is it safe to say "the weather being very hot" is not accurate in this context? Thank you.

Hello mssypt,

The sentence is fine.

Normally the -ing form refers to the same subject as the main clause. For example:

Despite feeling unhappy, she smiled at her colleagues as she arrived.

Here the -ing form (feeling) refers to the same subject as the main clause (she).

When you want to refer to a different subject you can use a possessive or an object pronoun:

Despite my working hard on the project, the boss was unhappy with it.
Despite me working hard on the project, the boss was unhappy with it.

Here the -ing form (working) refers to a different subject than the main clause (the boss).

Your example follows this pattern: