Do you know how to connect two contrasting ideas using although, even though, in spite of 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.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

though

thought can be used in the same way as although.

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

thought 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.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

language level

Intermediate: B1

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Comments

Why is there not a difference between "in spite of" and "despite", I "m not sure if I" ve just always known this wrong but they have different meanings to me.
I thought "in spite of" meant that you were doing something because of the other thing.
For example, if you were doing something in spite of the law, you are doing it because you are purposely trying to break the law.
Whereas, I thought despite meant you are doing something regardless of the other thing.
For example, if you are doing something despite the law, even though you know its illegal you do it anyway, but you are not doing it because you want to break the law.
I"m not sure how well I explained myself here but I think my confusion comes from the word "spite". If doing something "out of spite" means you are doing it out of annoyance, I guess I just thought that "in spite " meant a similar thing. I "m honestly just still confused, saying something like "The train was cancelled. In spite of that, we arrived on time" just doesn't right to me because you didn't arrive on time because you were announced about the train being cancelled.

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hello emma charles

"spite", a kind of feeling, is something quite different from the word "spite" in the phrase "in spite of".

Perhaps in some varieties of English, there is a difference in meaning between "in spite of" and "despite", but as far as I know, they are synonyms in standard British English. It might be useful to check several dictionaries to see what they indicate.

The LearnEnglish Team

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Dear Sir,
I am having trouble choosing the right words to fill this blank:"If you sell your house before the end of this month, your taxes will be reduced by almost 30 percent …………..the sale of your home." I have to choose between despite and regardless of. But as far as my knowledge goes, these 2 words used quite similarly. Can you point out the difference between them?
Thank you so much.
Wish you have a nice weekend^^

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Hello Quynh Nhu,

despite and regardless of are both followed by nouns (or gerunds) but there is a difference in the meaning.

despite is used to show a contrast. If we say A happened despite B, then we mean that normally B would stop A or make it less likely. For example:

I got a loan from the bank despite not having a job.

Normally, not having a job would stop me from getting a bank loan, so the contrast/surprise is clear.

Regardless of does not show a contrast in the same way. Instead, it shows that a piece of information had no effect. For example:

She won't like you regardless of how nice you are.

Here, the sentence means "it doesn't matter how nice you are, she still won't like you". It doesn't tell us whether or not you are nice, just that it won't make any difference.

If we use despite then the meaning changes:

She won't like you despite how nice you are /

Now we know that you are nice, but it is not enough to make her like you.

In your example, I think both forms make sense. The choice is really dependent on the facts of the legal/taxation system and the expectations these create rather than the grammar of the sentence. If selling your house would make you expect to pay higher taxes then despite makes sense. If not, then regardles of would be more likely.

In English, the meaning of concession or opposition can be expressed in several words. Some of them have a similar meaning and can replace each other, and some have their own peculiarities of use. In this episode, we'll take a look at the differences between despite , in spite of , although , though and however .

Unions Although And though("although") are placed at the beginning subordinate clause concessions, after them there must be a subject and a predicate:

I started jogging in the morning, although I do not enjoy it.
I started running in the morning even though I don't like it.

Although I was very tired, Nancy asked me to unpack some boxes.
Although I was very tired, Nancy asked me to unpack some boxes.

Though can sometimes be placed at the end of a sentence and act as an adverb. In this case, the sentence sounds like an afterthought:

I like feeding squirrels. They often get too noisy though.
I like to feed squirrels. Although they often start to get too noisy.

In addition, although and though can be used before adjectives:

It is a good restaurant, though a bit expensive.
This is a good restaurant, although a bit pricey.

Pretext despite(“despite”) is similar in meaning to although, but is not placed before a simple sentence as part of a complex one, but, for example, before a noun with dependent words, a pronoun or a gerund:

Despite my poor English, I've spent two 2 years in the USA.
Despite my poor English, I spent 2 years in the USA.

Despite always being late, he is a very responsible worker.
Despite the constant delays, he is a very responsible worker.

In spite of(“despite”) - this preposition is completely analogous to despite. The only difference between the two is that despite has a slightly more formal sound and is more commonly used in written language.

The pilots have successfully landed the plane in spite of the heavy fog.
The pilots successfully landed the aircraft despite heavy fog.

Often used in reverse in spite of the fact that:

In spite of the fact that nuclear power can provide large amounts of energy, people are afraid of it.
Despite the fact that nuclear energy can provide enormous

Union However has the meaning of opposition (“however”, “but”, “on the other hand”) and is always separated by commas:

Today's weather, however, was much better.
However, today the weather was much better.

It is usually not recommended to put however in this meaning at the beginning of a sentence, but this rule is often neglected:

It was hard. However, he managed to do it.
It was complicated. But he was able to do it.

If necessary, this can be avoided by using a semicolon:

It was hard; however, he managed to do it.

When used at the beginning of a sentence without separating a comma, this word is an adverb and has the meaning "whatever ... nor", "whatever":

However hard I tried, I could not focus.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't concentrate.

To practice using conjunctions and prepositions expressing concession and opposition, we invite you to take a test on our website:.

§ 2. Idioms - set expressions and phrases

sell (someone) short - underestimate yourself or someone

I think Gina is selling herself short when she thinks that she will not make a good actress.
I think Gina underestimates herself when she thinks she won't be a good actress.

get going - get excited, get angry

Once Marion gets going, there is no stopping her wailing.
Worth only Marion gets angry, no one can stop her lamentations.

dead to the world - sleep tight

When I came home at about eleven p.m., my husband was aleady in bed, dead to the world.
By the time I get home at 11pm, my husband is already fast asleep in bed.

doll (oneself) up - get dressed, dress up

Dora was all dolled up for Mark's birthday party.
Dora was all dressed up for Mark's birthday.

make do with (something) - replace something

There was no porridge for breakfast, so they had to make do with cornflakes.
There was no oatmeal for breakfast, so they had to replace it with cornflakes.

"Despite" And "in spite of"

If you answered in spite of And despite(without of) - honor and praise to you. If you answered in spite of And despite of - dont be upset. A lot of people make this mistake. (And if you answered “I don’t know”, then everything is fine! Because now you will learn something new :)

Remember a simple thing: when you need to say "despite", then in Russian we say two words, and in English - or one or three.

That is:
despite- one word.
Despite- two words.
In spite of- three words.

Once again: in English there can be either three words, or one - but not two.

Is it possible like this: Roger is hungry in spite of he has eaten eight sausages?
Read aloud. Doesn't it sound? That's right, that's not possible.

How about this translation: Roger is hungry despite he has eaten eight sausages?
Quite a different matter, right? That's just another common mistake! Because, after in spite of or despite can't make a full sentence(He has eaten). What is allowed?

1) Noun. For example: We went for a walk in spite of / despite the rain. We went for a walk despite the rain. (the rain- noun).
2) -ing "new form (otherwise - gerund). For example: We came late in spite of driving very fast. - We were late, despite the fact that we were driving fast. (driving- gerund).
3) Phrase the fact that... For example: Luke failed the exam in spite of / despite the fact that he was well prepared. - Luke flunked the exam despite being well prepared.

That is, our phrase about Roger can be translated:
1) Roger is hungry in spite of / despite eight big sausages that he has eaten.
2) Roger is hungry in spite of / despite eating eight big sausages.
3) Roger is hungry in spite of / despite the fact (that) he "s eaten eight big sausages.

So let's summarize.

1) "Despite" in English will be either inspiteof, or despite(without of)!
2) After inspiteof And despite you need to say a noun or a gerund.
3) After inspiteof And despite you can't say a whole sentence. And if you really want to, you need to say despitethe fact that and then say this sentence.

Word "although" and his relatives

Now let's talk about wordalthough . Stop for a second and read it out loud.

Have you read? If you read it like this: /olZOU/ - with an emphasis on the second syllable, and the letter Z "lisping" between the teeth, like Stanislav Sadalsky in the cartoon "Last Year's Snow Was Falling", - honor and praise to you!
What exactly does it mean? - "Although".

Example: Althoughthegorillawassoft, thegirlwasveryafraid. - Although the gorilla was soft, the girl was very scared.
Another example: Althoughmycatscratchesallthewallpaper, Ilovehim. - Even though my cat tears all the wallpaper, I still love him.

It should be especially noted that although often confused with despite.

Please answer: which sentence is correct - the first, second or both?

Jurgen drank all my beer although it was warm.
or
Jurgen drank all my beer despite it was warm.

Correct answer: the first sentence sounds great, but the second sounds something like the Russian "Jurgen drank all my beer, despite on it it was warm". That is, the essence is clear, but grammatically - nonsense.
It is correct to say this:

Jurgen drank all my beer despitethefactthat it was warm. (For more details, see above about inspiteof And despite).

Now - about though And even though.

Both of them are synonyms although. That is, you can say:

Althoughall my friends like pizza, I can't stand it.

Thought all my friends like pizza, I can't stand it.

Even though all my friends like pizza, I can't stand it.

All three sentences mean "Even though all my friends love pizza, I can't stand it." What is the difference between these three words?

thought used less often, which means exactly the same thing. And here eventhough we need to speak when we want not just to say "although", but downright to emphasize surprise at the fact that this happened.

For example: eventhough 68 menproposedtoher, sheisstillsingle.- Although she has been proposed 68 times, she is still single.

Well, how can you not be surprised? 68 sentences (for 68 years) - and still not married.

And now - exercise.

Read the sentences and change them using the words in brackets.

Example: Jack kissed the girl. He didn't love her. (although) - Jack kissed the girl although he didn't love her.

1. Jack washed his hands. Granny didn't give him a banana. (although)
2. I was driving at 160 kilometers an hour. I arrived late. (even though)
3. The singer forgot the lines (forgot the words). The concert was a great success. (despite)
4. I didn't hear my alarm clock. It rank three times. (even though)
5. The street musician played for five hours. He earned only 300 rubles. (in spite)
6. Henri Toulouse-Lautrec had very short legs. A lot of women loved him. (despite)
7. look! Little Bobby is feeling fantastic. He has eaten one kilo of chocolates. (even though)
8. look! Little Bobby is feeling fantastic. He has eaten one kilo of chocolates. (despite)
9. He plays the piano very well. He can "t sing at all (can't sing at all) (although)
10. She is a very unhappy woman. She has a rich husband. (despite)

And further. Doing exercises without saying them out loud is like learning to drive while sitting in a classroom. Everything is known about the carburetor and the battery - but would it still be nice to drive the car in practice?

That's why I decided to record the keys on audio. So, having done the exercise, download the audio keys and listen to the mp3 many times, stopping after each sentence and repeating aloud after the recording. And so 20 times :)

All information about Anton Brezhestovsky's school is on the new website brejestovski.com.

In our classes you will significantly improve your English and have a lot of fun.

The best places on the course fill up quickly. Successful purchase of courses at a discount!

Mini English lessons on grammar, vocabulary and effective language learning methods.

Sometimes, differences in language do not boil down to a right and a wrong option. Style may dictate that one word or phrase is preferable to another, but neither is erroneous.

Such is the case with despite vs. in spite of. These phrases mean the same thing and are basically interchangeable, but one is probably a smarter choice for some writing contexts.

What is the Difference Between In Spite of and Despite?

In this article, I will compare the prepositions in spite of vs. despite. I will provide example sentences for both terms.

Plus, at the end, I will outline a helpful mnemonic that you can use to decide which one you should use in your own writing.

When to Use In Spite Of

What does in spite of mean?In spite of is a phrasal. It means unaffected by something. You can see the proper use of this phrase in the sentences below.

• Congress passed the bill, in spite of frequent objections from vocal constituents.
• In spite of being on a diet, I ate some mushroom risotto anyway.
• My daughter went to the basement to get the cat food, in spite of her fears.
• So the visitor returns thankful for much of what he has seen, and, in spite of everything, an optimist about what his country might be. - The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Despite

What does despite mean?despite is also a preposition. Just like in spite of, it also means unaffected by something.

Here are some examples

• Despite the best efforts of those who would oppose me, I have emerged victorious.
• Corey ordered a sausage and onion pizza, despite being vegan.
• Arturo continued to argue, despite knowing that he was wrong.
• Coal still produces almost three-quarters of China’s electricity, despite the prospective hydroelectric dam projects and the world’s largest program to install solar panels and build wind turbines. - The New York Times

Despite or In Spite Of? When to Use Each

In spite of and despite are both prepositional phrases, and they share the same definition. They are, for the most part, interchangeable.

As you can see from the following chart, in spite of was the preferred phrase in the 1800s and through the mid-20th century. despite has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity, the more commonly used term in becoming roughly 1950.

This chart is not scientific in nature, and does not capture the entire spectrum of English usage. It only looks at books written since 1800. Still, it allows us to view a clear picture of long-term trends.

You can probably choose either term in your own writing. Academic and professional writing place value on brevity, making despite the more attractive option in these formal settings. In other contexts, you could choose to let the prosody of the sentence determine which phrase sounds more natural.

For formal writing, remember that despite and deft are each one-word phrases that begin with the letters de-. Since choosing despite is a deft move in formal writing, you can remember that this word is more appropriate in these settings.

Summary

Is it despite or in spite of?despite and in spite of are prepositions that each mean unaffected by something. They are mostly interchangeable despite has been more popular since around 1960.

despite is a better choice for formal writing, where economy of words is important. You can remember that despite is a deft choice for these contexts, since both of those words begin with the letters de-.

If you need more help, you can always check this article for a quick refresher.

Before you start reading this article, ask yourself how it will be in English "despite". You are not mistaken if you answered despite, in spite of. The difference between them is quite subtle and at the same time significant. For those who find it difficult to answer this question, this article is dedicated.

Remember a simple tip: when it is necessary to say "despite", in Russian, we use two words, and in English - either one or three. Thus, despite- two words in Russian.

BUT: one word or a stable bunch of three in English. Consider the basic rules for using these prepositions.

Usage rules and examples

The basic rule is that after in spite of or despite you cannot use a full sentence (We have slept). What should be said?

1. Noun. For example: I went for shopping in spite of / despite the snow. I went shopping despite the snow(the snow is a noun).
2. The so-called "ing" form (in other words - gerund). For example: We came very rapidly in spite of stopping by police. - We arrived very quickly despite the fact that the police stopped us.(stopping- gerund).
3. The fact that... expression For example: Sam passed the hard exam in spite of / despite the fact that he was very irresponsible. Sam passed a tough exam despite being irresponsible. This is the most important rules use

These two prepositions express some kind of surprise or surprise, in contrast to although.

It is important to remember that a full-fledged sentence (in which the predicate and subject are present) cannot go after these prepositions.

You can't say: Despite she is rich, she never spends much money.

You should use the following option: Despite being rich, she never spends much money. that she was rich, she never spent much money. This is the correct form of using these prepositions.

Note: The word despite can also be a noun, and is translated into Russian as "malice" or "anger". There are many set expressions with this word in English.

Let's try to translate the sentence:

1. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite five glasses of Coca-Cola that he has drunk. Sam was thirsty despite drinking five glasses of Coca-Cola.
2. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite drinking five glasses of Coca-Cola .
3. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite the fact (that) he "s drunk five glasses of Coca-Cola.

Despite, in spite of - there is, in fact, no difference in meaning.

In spite of the hard wind, I enjoyed my vacations. - Despite the strong wind, I enjoyed my holidays.(use with a noun).

He was not well, but despite this he went to the shop. - He was ill, but despite this he went to the store(use with a pronoun).

I have not got the job in spite of possessing all the necessary higher educational documents - I was not hired for this job despite the fact that I had all the necessary higher education documents(use with gerund).

Prepositions despite, in spite of: what is the difference in usage

The first is used in the official and clerical form of communication, and the second is more often used in colloquial speech. The difference between despite and in spite of, firstly, is in the presence of a preposition - particles of of in the preposition in spite of.

1. In spite of the cold weather, you were happy.

2. Despite the cold weather, you were happy. Despite the cold weather, you were happy. Between despite, in spite of, the difference, in fact, lies only in grammatical spelling and shades of use. It is also possible to use such phrases with that: in spite of the fact (that), and also despite the fact (that).

Conclusion

So, let's summarize the study of this grammatical topic.

1. Between despite, in spite of, the difference in the presence of the particle of is the most important moment for the correct use of these prepositions.
2. After these prepositions, it is necessary to use such parts of speech as a noun, gerund or pronoun (including demonstrative).
3. Also, you cannot insert a full sentence after the preposition. But it is possible to use a link such as the fact that, and then it is possible to use the full construction. Thus, if you try to understand this topic, it turns out that there is nothing complicated.