Although / Though / Even Though / In Spite Of / Despite

The Main Idea

All five of these words and phrases express contrast — they connect two facts that seem to contradict each other. They mean the same thing as “but” in a different structure.

• It rained a lot, but they had a good time.
• *Although it rained a lot, they had a good time.*
• *In spite of the rain, they had a good time.*
• *Despite the rain, they had a good time.*

Although: Subject + Verb

After although, you always use a subject + verb.

• *Although it rained a lot, they had a good time.*
• I didn’t apply for the job although I had the necessary qualifications.
• We went out although it was raining heavily.

Compare although and because — they have opposite meanings:

We went out although it was raining heavily.	(= it was raining, but we went out)
We didn’t go out because it was raining heavily.	(= it was raining, so we stayed in)

In Spite Of / Despite: Noun, Pronoun, or -ing

After in spite of or despite, you use a noun, a pronoun (this, that, what, etc.), or an -ing form — never a subject + verb.

Pattern	Example
+ noun	*In spite of the rain, we had a good time.*
+ pronoun	She wasn’t well, but in spite of this she continued working.
+ what/etc.	*In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you.*
+ -ing	I didn’t apply for the job in spite of having the necessary qualifications.

Despite means exactly the same as in spite of. The only difference is spelling — write despite without “of”:

• *Despite the rain, we had a good time.* (not despite of the rain)

You can also say in spite of the fact (that) or despite the fact (that) + subject + verb:

• I didn’t apply for the job despite the fact that I had the necessary qualifications.

Compare in spite of and because of:

We went out in spite of the rain.	(= it was raining, but we went out)
We didn’t go out because of the rain.	(= it was raining, so we stayed in)

Getting the Structure Right

A common mistake is mixing up the two structures. Remember:

Word	What follows
although	subject + verb
in spite of / despite	noun, pronoun, or -ing

• *Although the traffic was bad, we arrived on time.* (not in spite of the traffic was bad)
• *In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.*
• I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired. (not despite I was tired)
• I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired.

Though and Even Though

Though means the same as although. It is more common in everyday spoken English.

• I didn’t apply for the job though I had the necessary qualifications.

In spoken English, though often goes at the end of a sentence, meaning “but”:

• The house isn’t so nice. I like the garden, though. (= but I like the garden)
• I see them every day. I’ve never spoken to them, though.

Even though is a stronger form of although. Use it when the contrast is surprising. Note that you cannot use “even” alone in this way.

• *Even though I was really tired, I couldn’t sleep.* (not even I was really tired)

Quick Self-Check