'in spite of', 'despite', 'although', 'even though' and 'though'

HOW TO CONECT IDEAS?

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

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in spite of and despite, + noun, /gerund (V-ing )/ pronoun

• They always try to spend time engaging in physical activities in spite of their busy schedule.
• 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.

EXAMPLES

• I enjoyed the party, although the food served didn't taste good .
• Although I see my neighbor every day, I don't really know much about her.

• Even though she spoke very quietly, he understood every word.
• She got the job, even though she had quite few qualifications.

though

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

EXAMPLES

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

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

However

Using ‘however’ as a conjunctive adverb ‘However’ can be used to join two simple sentences to make a compound sentence. ‘However’ indicates that the relationship between the two independent clauses is one of contrast or opposition.

However

The engineers claimed that the bridge was safe; however, they were still not prepared to risk crossing.

Use a semi-colon (;) before and a comma (,) after however when you are using it to write a compound sentence.

using ‘however’ to begin a sentence

If ‘however’ is used to begin a sentence, it must be followed by a comma, and what appears after the comma must be a complete sentence.

He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate.We thought the figures were correct. However, we have now discovered some errors.

on the one hand ... on the other hand

Used when you are comparing two different facts or two opposite ways of thinking about a situation:

On the one hand I'd like a job that pays more, but on the other hand I enjoy the work I'm doing at the moment.

Whereas

We use the conjunction whereas to indicate a contrast between two facts or ideas:

He loves foreign holidays, whereas his wife prefers to stay at home. Whereas

WHEREAS

Whereas means the same as while in sentences expressing contrasts. It does not mean the same as while when while refers to time:

The south has a hot, dry climate, whereas/while the north has a milder, wetter climate. The secretary took care of my appointments while I was away from the office. Not: … whereas I was away from the office.