Despite vs In Spite Of vs Although: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Do you ever pause mid-sentence, unsure whether to write despite, in spite of, or although? You are not alone. These three expressions all show contrast, but they follow different grammatical patterns. Getting them right will instantly make your English sound more natural and precise, especially at the B1–B2 level where examiners and teachers pay close attention to sentence structure.

What Is Concession in Grammar?

In grammar, a concession clause is a part of a sentence that acknowledges a fact or an idea before presenting a contrasting point. Think of it as saying, “Yes, this is true, but something else is also true.” For example: “Although it was raining, we went for a walk.” The concession is the rain; the contrast is the walk.

Despite, in spite of, and although are the three most common concession markers in English. The key difference is simple: although is a conjunction (it connects two clauses), while despite and in spite of are prepositions (they connect a noun or a gerund to a clause).

Rules

1. Although + subject + verb: Use although with a full clause. Example: Although she was tired, she finished the report.
2. Despite / In spite of + noun or pronoun: Use these with a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form). Example: Despite the rain, we played football.
3. Despite / In spite of + gerund: You cannot use a full clause after these prepositions. Instead of “despite she was tired,” say despite being tired.
4. In spite of is three words: Always write it as three separate words. “Inspite” is never correct.
5. No “of” after despite: Say despite, not “despite of.” This is a very common error.
6. Both despite and in spite of are interchangeable: They have exactly the same meaning. The only difference is style; in spite of is slightly more formal.
7. Although can start or end a sentence: You can say Although it was late, we stayed or We stayed although it was late. The same applies to despite and in spite of, but they need a noun or gerund after them.

How to Use It

Follow these steps to choose the correct form every time.

Step 1: Identify what follows

Look at the word that comes right after the connector. Is it a verb with a subject (e.g., “she was late”)? Then use although. Is it a noun (e.g., “the rain”) or an -ing verb (e.g., “being late”)? Then use despite or in spite of.

Step 2: Choose your connector

If you have a full clause, go with although. If you have a noun or gerund, choose despite or in spite of. Remember: never mix them. Do not say “although the rain” or “despite she was late.”

Step 3: Place it correctly

You can put these connectors at the beginning of the sentence (followed by a comma) or in the middle (no comma before the connector, but often a comma after the first clause). Example: Despite the noise, he slept. Or: He slept despite the noise. Both are correct. For although: Although he was tired, he ran. Or: He ran although he was tired.

Step 4: Use gerunds for actions

When the concession involves an action, change the verb to an -ing form after despite or in spite of. Instead of “despite he studied,” say despite studying.

Step 5: Practise with synonyms

To build confidence, rewrite sentences using all three forms. For example: Although he is rich, he is unhappy. → Despite being rich, he is unhappy. → In spite of his wealth, he is unhappy.

Examples in Sentences

• Although it was freezing, she wore a light jacket.
• He passed the exam although he had not studied much.
• Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
• She smiled despite feeling nervous.
• In spite of his age, he runs every morning.
• They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the ants.
• Although the movie was long, nobody left early.
• We went hiking despite the bad weather forecast.
• In spite of working overtime, he missed the deadline.
• She accepted the job although the salary was low.
• Despite being a beginner, he won the chess match.
• I trust him although he has lied before.
• In spite of the cost, we booked the hotel.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “despite of”

❌ Despite of the rain, we went out.
✅ Despite the rain, we went out.
Explanation: Despite is a single preposition. It never takes “of.” Only in spite of includes “of.”

Mistake 2: Using “although” with a noun

❌ Although the rain, we played.
✅ Although it rained, we played. OR Despite the rain, we played.
Explanation: Although needs a subject and a verb. Use despite for a noun.

Mistake 3: Writing “inspite” as one word

❌ Inspite of the delay, we waited.
✅ In spite of the delay, we waited.
Explanation: Always three separate words: in spite of.

Mistake 4: Using “despite” with a full clause

❌ Despite she was sick, she worked.
✅ Despite being sick, she worked. OR Although she was sick, she worked.
Explanation: Despite cannot be followed by a subject + verb. Use a gerund or change to although.

Mistake 5: Adding “but” in the same sentence

❌ Although he was tired, but he finished.
✅ Although he was tired, he finished.
Explanation: Concession words already show contrast. Do not add “but” in the same clause.

Quick Summary

• Although + subject + verb (full clause).
• Despite + noun, pronoun, or gerund.
• In spite of + noun, pronoun, or gerund (same as despite).
• Never say “despite of” or “inspite.”
• Do not use “but” after although/despite/in spite of.
• All three can go at the start or middle of a sentence.
• For actions after despite/in spite of, use the -ing form.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with although, despite, or in spite of. Answers are below.

1. __________ the cold weather, they swam in the sea.
2. __________ he was late, the teacher didn’t scold him.
3. She passed the test __________ not studying.
4. __________ being tired, he went to the gym.
5. We enjoyed the trip __________ the long drive.

Answers

1. Despite / In spite of (followed by “the cold weather” – a noun phrase).
2. Although (followed by “he was late” – a full clause).
3. Despite / In spite of (followed by “not studying” – a gerund).
4. Despite / In spite of (followed by “being tired” – a gerund).
5. Despite / In spite of (followed by “the long drive” – a noun phrase).

Conclusion

Mastering despite, in spite of, and although is a matter of recognising what follows: a full clause for although, and a noun or gerund for the other two. With regular practice, these choices will become automatic. Keep this guide handy, and soon you will use concession clauses with confidence and precision.

FAQ

1. Can “despite” and “in spite of” ever be used with a full clause?

No, not directly. If you want to use a full clause, you must rephrase. For example, instead of “despite he was ill,” you say despite being ill or despite his illness. Alternatively, switch to although: although he was ill. This is a non-negotiable rule in standard English.

2. Is “in spite of” more formal than “despite”?

Yes, slightly. Both are correct and interchangeable in meaning, but in spite of is often seen in formal writing, while despite is more common in everyday speech and modern writing. For example, in academic essays you might see “in spite of the evidence,” while in a conversation you would probably say “despite the evidence.” Neither is wrong in any context.

3. What is the difference between “although” and “though”?

“Though” is a more informal and flexible version of “although.” You can often use them interchangeably, but “though” can also appear at the end of a sentence to mean “however”: “It’s expensive. I’ll buy it, though.” “Although” cannot be used that way. In concession clauses, both work: Although/Though it was late, we stayed.

4. Can I start a sentence with “despite”?

Absolutely. Starting with despite or in spite of is very common and perfectly grammatical. Just remember to place a comma after the introductory phrase. Example: Despite the rain, the match continued. If the phrase is short, the comma is still recommended for clarity, but it is not strictly mandatory in informal writing.