Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to write despite, in spite of, or although? You are not alone. These three structures express contrast and concession, but they follow different grammar rules. Getting them right will instantly make your English sound more natural and precise. In this guide, we’ll break down the rules, show you exactly where to place them in a sentence, and help you avoid the most common ESL traps.
What Is Contrast and Concession?
Contrast and concession show that two ideas are surprising or opposite. For example: “It was raining, but we went for a walk.” The words despite, in spite of, and although all do this job, but they are not interchangeable in structure. Despite and in spite of are prepositions (they are followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing verb). Although is a conjunction (it is followed by a subject + verb). Understanding this one difference unlocks everything else.
Rules
- Preposition rule: Use despite or in spite of + noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). Never use a full clause (subject + verb) directly after them.
- Conjunction rule: Use although + subject + verb. It introduces a full subordinate clause.
- Meaning equivalence: All three mean “in contrast to the fact that” or “even though.” The choice depends on grammar, not meaning.
- Position flexibility: You can place despite/in spite of phrases and although clauses at the beginning or end of a sentence. When placed at the beginning, add a comma after the phrase or clause.
- No “of” after despite: Many learners write “despite of.” This is always incorrect. Use “in spite of” (three words) or “despite” (one word).
- No “but” with although: Do not use “although… but” together. They are both conjunctions; you only need one.
- Gerund after prepositions: When using a verb after despite or in spite of, change it to the -ing form. Example: “Despite feeling tired…”
How to Use It
Follow these steps to choose the correct structure every time.
Step 1: Identify what follows the gap
Look at the word or phrase after the blank. Is it a noun (e.g., “the rain”), a pronoun (e.g., “him”), a gerund (e.g., “working”), or a full clause (e.g., “he was tired”)?
Step 2: Choose the correct word
- If it is a noun/pronoun/gerund → use despite or in spite of.
- If it is a subject + verb → use although.
Step 3: Decide sentence position
Place the phrase or clause at the beginning for emphasis, followed by a comma. Place it at the end for a more neutral tone, with no comma before it.
Step 4: Check for common errors
Ask yourself: Did I accidentally write “despite of”? Did I use “but” after “although”? Did I forget to change the verb to -ing after the preposition? Fix these before submitting.
Examples in Sentences
- Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
- We enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
- Although she was nervous, she gave a brilliant presentation.
- Despite being exhausted, he finished the marathon.
- She accepted the job in spite of the low salary.
- Although it was expensive, they bought the house.
- Despite having no experience, he got the position.
- The team lost in spite of playing well.
- Although the exam was difficult, Maria passed with high marks.
- He stayed calm despite the chaos around him.
- In spite of his age, Grandpa still runs every morning.
- Although they disagreed, they remained friends.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Despite of the rain, we went out.
✅ Despite the rain, we went out. (or “In spite of the rain…”) - ❌ Although it was late, but she called me.
✅ Although it was late, she called me. (or “It was late, but she called me.”) - ❌ Despite he was sick, he came to work.
✅ Despite being sick, he came to work. (or “Although he was sick…”) - ❌ In spite of she studied hard, she failed.
✅ In spite of studying hard, she failed. (or “Although she studied hard…”) - ❌ Although the weather, we had fun.
✅ Despite the weather, we had fun. (or “Although the weather was bad…”)
Quick Summary
- Despite = preposition, one word, followed by noun/pronoun/gerund.
- In spite of = preposition, three words, same grammar as despite.
- Although = conjunction, followed by subject + verb.
- All can start or end a sentence; use a comma when they start.
- Never say “despite of.”
- Never pair “although” with “but.”
- Change verbs to -ing after despite/in spite of.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite, in spite of, or although. Some blanks may accept more than one correct answer. Answers are below.
- __________ the bad weather, the festival was a success.
- __________ he was tired, he stayed up to finish the report.
- She passed the test __________ not studying much.
- __________ having a lot of money, he is not happy.
- __________ the train was delayed, we caught our flight.
Answers
- Despite / In spite of (followed by noun “the bad weather”)
- Although (followed by clause “he was tired”)
- Despite / In spite of (followed by gerund “not studying”)
- Despite / In spite of (followed by gerund “having”)
- Although (followed by clause “the train was delayed”)
Conclusion
Mastering despite, in spite of, and although is a game-changer for your English fluency. Remember the golden rule: prepositions for nouns and gerunds, conjunctions for full clauses. With a little practice, you’ll use these naturally without hesitation. Keep this guide handy, and soon you’ll be writing contrast sentences like a native speaker.
FAQ
1. Can “despite” and “in spite of” be used interchangeably?
Yes, they are completely interchangeable in meaning and grammar. The only difference is style: “despite” is slightly more common in formal writing, while “in spite of” can sound a bit more conversational. Both are correct in any context.
2. Is it ever correct to say “despite of”?
No. “Despite of” is always incorrect. You can say “despite” (one word) or “in spite of” (three words). Think of “in spite of” as a fixed phrase; never split it or remove “of.”
3. What is the difference between “although” and “though”?
“Although” and “though” are nearly identical in meaning. “Though” is more informal and can also appear at the end of a sentence (e.g., “It was expensive, though.”). “Although” cannot be used at the end of a sentence. In most cases, you can use them interchangeably at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
4. Can I use “despite” with a full clause if I add “the fact that”?
Yes! This is a useful trick. You can say “despite the fact that + subject + verb” or “in spite of the fact that + subject + verb.” For example: “Despite the fact that he was sick, he came to work.” This allows you to use a full clause after a preposition, but it is wordier than using “although.”