In Spite of, Despite and Although

‘in spite of’, ‘despite’ and ‘although’ are all used to show contrast and are used for the same
meaning. The only difference is the way they are used; the structure in which they are used.

‘in spite of’ and ‘despite’ are placed in front of a noun or pronoun:

EXAMPLE: We had a great time in spite of the rain.

EXAMPLE: We had a great time despite the rain.

EXAMPLE: Despite studying very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.

 ‘studying’ is the noun form of the verb ‘study’

‘despite’ does NOT have ‘of’ after it:

EXAMPLE: Despite the rough weather they still set sail.

 NOT, Despite of the bad weather...

‘although’ is used in front of a subject and a verb:

EXAMPLE: We had a great time although it rained.

EXAMPLE: Although he studied very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.

If ‘in spite of’ and ‘despite’ are used in front of the phrase ‘the fact that’ then they can
be used with a subject and a verb:

EXAMPLE: In spite of the fact that he studied very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.

EXAMPLE: Despite the fact that it rained we still had a great time.

‘even though’ can be used the same way as ‘although’. For most native speakers ‘even
though’ is slightly stronger than ‘although’:

EXAMPLE: Even though we were in a terrible hotel, we had a great time.

Choose despite or although to complete the sentences.

1. (Despite/Although) his sickness he attended the class yesterday.

2. (Despite/Although) he didn't feel well, he went fishing.

3. We arrived at the meeting on time (despite/although) heavy traffic.

4. I failed in my chemistry exam (despite/although) I studied all night.

5. (Despite/Although) all my effort, I couldn't convince my parents to let me go out.

6. (Despite/Although) his anger, he apologized to his friend for shouting.

7. Claudia has many friends (despite/although) she is very shy.

8. (Despite/Although) I was afraid of dark, I had to walk home alone yesterday night.

9. We finished the race as the first (despite/although) many difficulties.

10. (Despite/Although) she can't see well, she prefers to sit in the back.

11. (Despite/Although) he was tired he drove a hundred kilometers to the next town.

12. He enjoys his job (despite/although) the low salary.

13. (Despite/Although) having lived in Norway for ten years, he never got used to the cold.

14. (Despite/Although) they said construction was complete, there were builders working

on the hotel when we arrived.

15. (Despite/Although) the fact that she had no money, she bought the car anyway.

16. You still play loud music (despite/although) I've asked you not to several times.
Answer

1. Despite

2. Although

3. Despite

4. Although

5. Despite

6. Despite

7. Although

8. Although

9. Despite

10. Although

11. Although

12. Despite

13. Despite

14. Although

15. Despite

16. Although