Contrasting ideas: 'although', 'despite' and others

We enjoyed the festival, despite the rain.

Do you know how to connect two contrasting ideas with words like although and despite?

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.

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.

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👩‍🦰🗣️

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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.

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🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

💃🎊🕺

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📝❌😔🤷‍♀️

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.

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🧍‍♀️⁉️🧍

👩‍🦱🗣️🧏💭✔️

🙍‍♀️

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.

🙆‍♀️🎬🎼💞

👨‍🍳 👩‍🦰🍝🍜👨‍🦰

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences. 1- We decided to buy the house, _____ we didn't really have enough money. a) despite b) in spite of c) even though 2- _____ my careful planning, we ended up staying in a really bad hotel. a) Despite b) Although c) Even though 3- My partner snores really loudly but _____ that I sleep well. a) even though b) in spite of c) although

4- You keep making that stupid noise _____ I've asked you to stop three times. a) despite b) in spite of c) even though 5- I won the race _____ coming last in the practice run. a) although b) in spite of c) even though 6- You told me ten times. I still forgot, _____. a) despite b) though c) although

7- I handed my report in on time _____ the fact that I had been ill all day. a) despite b) even though c) although 8- _____ she's arriving late, she still wants to eat when she gets here. a) Despite b) In spite of c) Although

Thank you students! 😊

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/

TEACHER BRENDA RAMÍREZ 👩‍🏫✨