How to use although and despite.

 

Although and even though have a similar meaning to despite and in spite of. 

We use all of these words to say that a thing is surprising, unusual or unexpected in relation to another thing. This is called concession.

While the meaning of these words is similar, there is a difference in how we use them.

Although and even though areconjunctions. They have the same meaning. Even though is a little stronger than although.

We use these structures:

• although + a clause
• even though + a clause

Despite and in spite of are prepositions, and have the same meaning. They are used with these structures:

• despite + noun
• despite + verb + -ing

• in spite of + a noun
• in spite of + verb + -ing

Although, even though vs. despite
The examples below show us thatalthough / even though and despite /in spite of are similar in meaning, but are used differently.
although, even though (+ clause)	despite, in spite of  (+ verb + -ing)
Even though he's a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.	Despite / in spite of being a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.
He lives in a very small flat even though he's a millionaire.	He lives in a very small flat despite /in spite of being a millionaire.
Although / even though he's much older than the others, he won the race.	Despite / in spite of being much older than the others, he won the race.
He won the racealthough / even though he's much older than the others.	He won the racedespite / in spite of being much older than the others.
Even though /although it rained a lot, I enjoyed the holiday.	Despite / in spite of the rain, I enjoyed the holiday.
Even though /although they have a lot of money, they're still not happy.	Despite / in spite of their money, they're still not happy.

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