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In spite of, despite and although are all used to show a contrast but there are differences in the
structures used with them.
In spite of / despite
Remember that the gerund (‘-ing’ form) is the ‘noun’ form of a verb.
Although
We can use in spite of and despite with a subject and verb if we include the expression ‘the fact that’.
In spite of the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
Despite the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
Even though
Although
We can use 'although' at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. It is used in
front of a clause (a clause has at least a subject and a verb that agrees with the
subject).
Although the weather is bad, I love London.
I love London, although the weather is bad.
Despite / in spite of
We use 'despite' or 'in spite of' before a noun or a gerund. It can also go in the middle
or at the beginning of a sentence. 'Despite' and 'in spite of' mean exactly the same
thing. You can choose whichever one you like! If you want to use 'despite' or 'in spite
of' before a clause, you need to add 'the fact that'.
I love London despite the bad weather.
I love London in spite of the bad weather.
Despite the bad weather, I love London.
In spite of the bad weather, I love London.
Despite the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
In spite of the fact that the weather is bad, I love London.
I love London despite the fact that the weather is bad.
I love London in spite of the fact that the weather is bad.
However
We use 'although' and 'despite / in spite of' to connect two clauses in the same
sentence. On the other hand, 'however' isn't used to connect two clauses. Instead, we
usually put the two ideas in two separate sentences. We put 'however' in the second
sentence, and we can put it at the beginning, at the end, or after the subject.
I love London. However, the weather is bad.
I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
I love London. The weather is bad, however.
We use linking words to join ideas together when we're talking or writing. Sometimes
we want to show that one thing happened because of another thing. We can use
linking words like 'because' or 'since' or 'due to' to do this.
We can use these words at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. They are
used in front of a clause (a clause has at least a subject and a verb that agrees with the
subject). They go before the reason. If they are at the beginning of the sentence, we
put a comma in the middle to separate the clauses.
Because
We cancelled the picnic because it was raining.
Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
As
We cancelled the picnic as it was raining.
As it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
Since
We cancelled the picnic since it was raining.
Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
For
We can also use 'for' to mean 'because'. This is very literary and we don't really use it
in spoken English. 'For' can only go in the middle of the two clauses. We often add a
comma before it.
We cancelled the picnic, for it was raining.
Because of + noun
We cancelled the picnic because of the rain.
Because of the rain, we cancelled the picnic.
Due to + noun*
We cancelled the picnic due to the rain.
Due to the rain, we cancelled the picnic.
Owing to + noun
We cancelled the picnic owing to the rain.
Owing to the rain, we cancelled the picnic.
*Some very traditional grammar books say that because 'due' is an adjective, we
should only use it after a noun and the verb 'be'. So we should say 'the cancellation of
the picnic was due to the rain' (instead of my example above), and we shouldn't use
'due to' at the beginning of a sentence. However, in modern English, it is fine to use
'due to' in the same way as 'owing to' and 'because of'.
HOWEVER : Katty couldn't cash her paycheck However, she managed to buy a new TV set.
NEVERTHELESS: There was little chance of success; nevertheless they decided to perform the
surgery.
YET: Edison dropped out school at an early age, yet he became a famous inventor.
WHEREAS. Tom thinks we´re ready to begin whereas Lisa thinks we have to wait
EXPRESSING CONTRAST: although, though even if and even though We use them to connect
contrasting ideas introducing a dependent clause
EVEN IF: Even if you take a taxi, you'll still miss your train
EVEN THOUGH: Even though the weather was bad, the ship departed
EXPRESSING CONTRAST: despite, in spite of We use them to contrast ideas. They must be followed by
a noun phrase or an –ing form
Expressing Contrast
1. ....... he's been really ill lately, he insists on going into work. Even though Even if
2. I'll never forget you, ........ I live to be 100. Even though Even if
3. We decided to go to Italy for our holiday, ........ it meant we needed to get our passports renewed.
despite although
4. She decided to travel by plane ........ being very scared of flying. in spite of though
5. I'm not going out tonight. ........, I can see you tomorrow if you like. Although However
6. ........ the car was quite old, it was still very reliable. Despite Although
9. I was late. _____, the others were all on time. Although However
Conjunctions: contrasting
from English Grammar Today
The conjunctions but and although/though connect ideas that contrast. Whereas is
also used but it is not as common:
The new city hall is amazing but it’s going to cost a lot.
But
Warning:
We can’t use however as a conjunction instead of but to connect words and phrases:
See also:
But
Although/though
although
main idea contrast
though
Although
contrast main idea
Though
See also:
Conjunctions
Position of subordinating conjunctions
Although or though?
But or although?
But or although?
But cannot be used in the same way as although/though. We use but to connect
items which are the same grammatical type (coordinating conjunction).
Warning:
The order of clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions cannot be reversed:
Although can sound more formal than but. Though is much more common in
speaking than in writing. Although is much more common in writing than in speaking.
Even though and even if are also used as subordinating conjunctions in the same
way as although/though. Even though is similar to although but it makes a stronger
contrast:
Even if you run, you’ll still be late. (You’ll be late whether you run or not.)
I feel tired even if I go to bed early. (I feel tired whether I go to bed early or not.)
See also:
Whether
We use and to connect words in a list and to connect phrases and clauses in
a sentence:
See also:
And
Adding with and
After conjunctions referring to time, such as when, once and as soon as, we
use the present simple when we refer to the future:
See also:
Conjunctions: time
When we use a so-clause to connect a cause/reason to a result, the so-
clause must come second:
See also:
Conjunctions: causes, reasons and results
Because
Since
As
We use although/though, not but, to connect a subordinate clause to a main
clause:
See also:
But or although?
When as well as or in addition to are followed by clauses, the verb is in the -
ing form:
[from a brochure advertising an English course in London]
See also:
Adding with as well as and in addition to
We cannot use however to connect words and phrases:
See also:
Conjunctions: causes, reasons and results
Position of subordinating conjunctions
When or if?
We only use one conjunction to connect words or phrases:
Since she had the day off work, she went out for lunch with some friends.
Not: Since she had the day off work, so she went out for lunch