In Spite Of vs Despite vs Although: The Definitive Guide

Introduction

Do you ever freeze when you need to show contrast in English? You know the feeling: you want to say “even though it was raining,” but suddenly you’re juggling in spite of, despite, and although — and you’re not sure which one fits. These three connectors are essential for natural, fluent English, yet they trip up even advanced learners. In this guide, we’ll break down the grammar rules, show you the exact sentence structures, and fix the most common ESL pitfalls so you can use these words with total confidence.

What Is Concession in English?

Concession is a grammatical way of saying “this is true, but the opposite or unexpected thing also happened.” For example: “Although she was tired, she finished the marathon.” The word although (or in spite of / despite) introduces a concession clause — a part of the sentence that concedes a fact while showing that the main clause is surprising or contrasting. Think of it as a “yes, but” tool. The key difference is simple: although is a conjunction (it connects two clauses), while in spite of and despite are prepositions (they connect a noun or gerund to a clause).

Rules

Here are the non-negotiable grammar rules. Master these, and you’ll never mix them up again.

1. Although + subject + verb — Always followed by a full clause (subject + verb). Example: Although it was late, we stayed.
2. Despite + noun / gerund (-ing) — Never followed by a clause. Example: Despite the rain, we went out.
3. In spite of + noun / gerund (-ing) — Same as “despite.” Example: In spite of being tired, she worked.
4. “Despite” and “in spite of” are interchangeable — No difference in meaning, only in formality. “In spite of” is slightly more formal.
5. Never use “of” after “despite” — “Despite of” is always wrong.
6. Never use “although” with a noun — You cannot say “Although the rain.” You must say “Although it rained.”
7. Comma rule — When the concession clause comes first, use a comma. When it comes second, no comma is needed. Example: Despite the cost, we bought it. vs We bought it despite the cost.
8. You can combine them with “the fact that” — To use “despite” or “in spite of” with a full clause, add “the fact that.” Example: Despite the fact that he was ill, he came.

How to Use It

Follow this simple 4-step process to choose the right word every time.

1. Step 1: Identify what follows the connector. Look at the words right after the blank. Is there a subject + verb? Or just a noun / -ing verb?
2. Step 2: If it’s a full clause (subject + verb), use “although.” Example: Although he was rich, he was unhappy. (he + was = clause)
3. Step 3: If it’s a noun or gerund, use “despite” or “in spite of.” Example: Despite his wealth, he was unhappy. (his wealth = noun phrase)
4. Step 4: Check the comma. If the concession phrase starts the sentence, put a comma after it. If it ends the sentence, no comma.

Let’s practice the logic. You want to say: “The flight was delayed. We arrived on time.” To combine them, ask: what follows my connector? If you write “Although the flight was delayed,” you have a clause. If you write “Despite the delay,” you have a noun. Both are correct, but they use different structures. Choose based on what sounds more natural in your sentence.

Examples in Sentences

Here are 12 natural sentences. Pay attention to the bolded grammar point and the structure that follows it.

• Although she was nervous, she gave a brilliant presentation.
• He passed the exam although he didn’t study much.
• Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived early.
• She enjoyed the party despite knowing nobody there.
• In spite of the high price, the product sold out quickly.
• They went hiking in spite of the freezing temperatures.
• Although it was raining, the children played outside.
• We decided to walk despite the dark clouds.
• In spite of his lack of experience, he got the job.
• The restaurant was crowded although it was a Monday night.
• Despite being exhausted, she finished the report.
• He stayed calm in spite of the chaos around him.

Notice that “although” always has a verb after it, while “despite” and “in spite of” are followed by a noun or an -ing form. This is the golden rule.

Common Mistakes

Here are the top 5 errors ESL learners make — and how to fix them instantly.

• ❌ Despite of the rain, we played.
  ✅ Despite the rain, we played. (Never add “of” after “despite.”)
• ❌ Although the rain, we played.
  ✅ Although it rained, we played. (Add a subject and verb after “although.”)
• ❌ In spite of he was tired, he worked.
  ✅ In spite of being tired, he worked. (Use a gerund, not a clause, after “in spite of.”)
• ❌ Despite it was cold, she swam.
  ✅ Despite the cold, she swam. OR Despite the fact that it was cold, she swam. (Use “the fact that” if you want a clause.)
• ❌ Although of his age, he runs fast.
  ✅ Despite his age, he runs fast. OR Although he is old, he runs fast. (Never mix “although” with “of.”)

If you remember these five corrections, you’ll avoid 90% of the errors that plague B1–B2 learners.

Quick Summary

• Although = conjunction + subject + verb (full clause).
• Despite = preposition + noun or gerund (-ing).
• In spite of = preposition + noun or gerund (-ing).
• Despite and in spite of are the same in meaning.
• Use “the fact that” after “despite/in spite of” to add a full clause.
• Comma after the concession phrase when it starts the sentence.
• Never say “despite of” or “although of.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with although, despite, or in spite of. Write your answers on paper, then check below.

1. __________ the bad weather, the picnic went ahead.
2. __________ he was sick, he went to work.
3. She passed the test __________ not studying.
4. __________ being rich, he never buys new clothes.
5. We enjoyed the trip __________ the long flight.

Answers:

1. Despite / In spite of (followed by “the bad weather” — a noun phrase)
2. Although (followed by “he was sick” — a clause)
3. Despite / In spite of (followed by “not studying” — a gerund)
4. Despite / In spite of (followed by “being rich” — a gerund)
5. Despite / In spite of (followed by “the long flight” — a noun phrase)

If you got all five right, you’ve mastered the basic rule. If not, review the Rules section above and try again.

Conclusion

Now you have the complete toolkit for using in spite of, despite, and although correctly. Remember the core difference: although takes a clause, while despite and in spite of take nouns or gerunds. Practice these daily, and soon you’ll use them without thinking — just like a native speaker. For more contrast connectors like “while,” “whereas,” and “on the other hand,” explore our other guides on EnglishGrammarZone.com.

FAQ

1. Can “despite” and “in spite of” be used interchangeably in all contexts?
Yes, they are 100% interchangeable in meaning and grammar. The only difference is style: “in spite of” is slightly more formal and often used in writing, while “despite” is more common in everyday speech. Both are correct in every situation.

2. How do I use “despite” with a full sentence?
You cannot directly put a full sentence after “despite.” You must add “the fact that.” For example: Despite the fact that he was late, we waited. This turns the clause into a noun phrase, making it grammatically correct.

3. What is the difference between “although” and “though”?
“Though” is the informal, shorter version of “although.” They are grammatically identical. However, “though” can also be used at the end of a sentence to mean “however” (e.g., “It’s expensive. I’ll buy it, though.”). “Although” cannot be used this way.

4. When do I need a comma with these connectors?
When the concession clause or phrase comes at the beginning of the sentence, put a comma after it. Example: Although it was late, we stayed. When it comes at the end, no comma is needed: We stayed although it was late. This rule applies to all three connectors.