Contrasting ideas: 'although', 'despite' and others
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
Here the -ing form (working) refers to a different subject than the main clause (the boss).
Your example follows this pattern:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
very useful lesson, thanks!
Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the structure of the following example
Although we saw each other every day, we didn't really know each other.
How does the verb "see" mentioned in the past tense with the use of every day? shouldn't be in the present in this case?
Hello Nour Shekho,
The past simple can describe regular events as well as single events. Here the verb here describes a regular action in the past. For example, when I was a child I took a train and a bus to get to school:
I did this every day but do not do it any more.
Changing the verb to the present would mean that the action is still true today, which would change the meaning of the sentence.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Dear
There’s something intriguing.
I learnt that when we want to express regular event or habits in the past, there is a specific grammar point which is « used to + base form of the verb.
Ex : I used to take a train to go to school when I was a child.
I never used to be late, although I took a train and a bus to school.
That’s just my point of view.
Please, correct me if I’m wrong 🙏🏽
Hello Aba.Diamond,
You are correct that used to + verb describes a past state or habitual action. For habitual actions (but not states) you can also use would + verb. You can also use the past simple with an adverbial expression such as 'every year', 'regularly' etc. Languages are flexible and offer different options for expressing the same idea.
You can read more about these constructions here:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/talking-about-past
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Dear Peter,
Have a good day! I write down couple of sentences below for practicing the lesson I've learned. If you make corrections, please point out any mistakes and explain why.
Regards,
Benny
Hello Benny,
I appreciate you are trying to practise the grammar you see here but please remember that we are a very small team here providing a free service. We are really here to provide help with specific questions about how the language works, not to check your work. There are many thousands of users on the site and we can't act as personal teachers to everyone in this way. We just don't have the capacity.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team