Using linking words to show contrast:

although/ even though/ in spite of/ despite/however

We use linking words to join ideas together when we're talking or writing. Sometimes we want to link two
ideas that are different from each other (for example, one is a positive idea and one is a negative idea) or
we want to link one idea to another one that is surprising or unexpected. We can use linking words like
'however', 'although', ‘even though’, and 'despite' and ‘in spite of’ to do this.
 Although, "even though", "despite", and "in spite of" can all be used to express the same thing. In other
words, they have the same meaning. "Although" and "even though" are conjunctions, but "despite" and "in
spite of" are considered prepositions. But since they are so similar it helps us to study them together. We
use these to say that something is surprising, unusual, or unexpected in relation to something else.

“Even though” and “Although”

Even though/Although she studied hard, she failed the test. = If she studied hard, then we would expect
that she would pass the test. But in this case, the opposite happened. This outcome was unexpected.

 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 + action, + unexpected result

 Unexpected Result + although + action

E.g.: Although she is pretty, she doesn't have a boyfriend.

Although we discussed it for 5 hours, we didn't make a decision.
Although it looks good, it doesn't work well.
We will go to the party although we do not know anybody else who is going.
It didn't taste good although I followed the recipe.

*Note: It is more common to use "although" at the beginning of a sentence than in the middle.

 "Even though" and "although" are used the same way, but "even though" is more common and a little
bit stronger.

 We can put "even though" at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of a sentence.
 Even though + action, + unexpected result
 Unexpected result + even though + action

E.g.: Even though she isn't big, she is strong.

Even though it rained, they went hiking.
Even though many unfortunate things happened, they enjoyed their trip.
She smiled even though she lost the game.
We bought it even though it was really expensive.
He quit his job even though he didn't have another job lined up.
"Despite" and "in spite of"
"Despite" and "in spite of" are prepositions, so they are followed by nouns or gerunds. 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 (with a
subject and verb), you need to add 'the fact that'.

 Despite + noun/gerund, + unexpected result

 In spite of + noun/gerund, + unexpected result

Despite the weather, we went on a picnic.

In spite of her age, she ran a full marathon.
Despite his injury, he played in the championship game.
In spite of their money, they are unhappy.
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.

 These usually go at the beginning of a sentence, but it is possible to use them in the middle.

E.g.: She is our friend despite her age. She is much younger than us.

- With these sentences, we usually need to infer or assume something.

E.g.: Despite the weather, we went on a picnic. = This sentence does not tell us exactly what the weather
was like. But we know that going on a picnic was an unusual thing. So, from this sentence, we can assume
that the weather was bad.

Here is another example:

In spite of their money, they are not happy. = We can assume that they have a lot of money. Because we
would expect people with money to be happy. But "in spite of" and "despite" are used to show unexpected
or surprising things.

- The only difference between in spite of and despite is the ‘of’. = Despite of the bad weather, there
was a large crowd at the match.

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.
E.g.: I love London. However, the weather is bad.
I love London. The weather, however, is bad.
I love London. The weather is bad, however.

1. Choose the right answer:

1.1. Although/In spite of she is beautiful, everybody hates her.

1.2. The children slept deeply although/despite the noise.

1.3. Although/ In spite of earning a low salary, Sara helped her parents

1.4. Jane rarely sees Alan even though/in spite of they are neighbours.

1.5. Kate did not do well in the exam in spite of the fact that/in spite of working very hard.

1.6. Although/In spite of I was very hungry, I couldn't eat.

1.7. Although/Despite the difficulty, they managed to solve the maths problem.

1.8. Liza never talked to him although/ in spite of she loved him.

1.9. Despite/Despite the fact that it was cold, Marie didn't put on her coat.

2. Fill in the gaps with 'however', 'although'/ ‘even though’ or 'despite'/’in spite of’:

2.1. _________________________ the rain, we still went to the park.

2.2. _____________________ it was raining, we still went to the park.

2.3. It was raining. ______________________, we still went to the park.

2.4. John bought the watch, ______________________ the fact that it was expensive.

2.5. John bough the watch. ________________________, it was expensive.

2.6. ______________________ it was expensive, John bought the watch.

2.7. I finished the homework. It, ____________________, wasn't easy.

2.8. I finished the homework ______________________ it wasn't easy.

2.9. _____________________ the fact that it wasn't easy, I finished the homework.

2.10. She went for a long walk _______________________ being cold.

2.11. __________________________ she was cold, she went for a long walk.

2.12. She was cold. She went for a long walk, _______________________.

2.13. The restaurant has a good reputation. ________________________, the food was terrible.

2.14. ________________________ the restaurant's good reputation, the food was terrible.

2.15. _______________________ the restaurant has a good reputation, the food was terrible.