Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, unsure whether to write despite, in spite of, or although? You are not alone. These three words express contrast and concession, but they follow different sentence structures—and getting them wrong can confuse your reader. In this guide, you will learn the exact rules, see dozens of natural examples, and avoid the most common ESL pitfalls once and for all.
What Is a Concession Clause?
A concession clause is a part of a sentence that acknowledges a fact or idea that seems to oppose the main clause. It answers the question: “Despite what?” or “In spite of what?” For example, in “Although it was raining, we went for a walk,” the concession clause is “Although it was raining.” It concedes the rain but shows that the action (walking) still happened.
The words despite, in spite of, and although all introduce concession, but they are not interchangeable in structure. The key difference is simple: despite and in spite of are prepositions (followed by a noun or gerund), while although is a conjunction (followed by a subject + verb).
Rules
- Despite + noun / gerund (-ing form) – Do not use “of” after “despite.” Example: Despite the rain, we played football.
- In spite of + noun / gerund – Always include “of.” Example: In spite of the rain, we played football.
- Although + subject + verb – This is a full clause. Example: Although it rained, we played football.
- Never use “although” with a noun alone. You cannot say “Although the rain.” You must say “Although it rained” or “Although the rain was heavy.”
- Never use “despite of” or “in spite” (without “of”). Both are common errors, but both are incorrect.
- Comma rules: When the concession clause comes first, use a comma. When it comes second, no comma is needed. Example: Despite being tired, she finished. / She finished despite being tired.
- Despite and in spite of are nearly identical in meaning. Choose based on style or rhythm. “In spite of” is slightly more formal.
How to Use It
Follow these steps to choose the correct word every time.
- Identify what follows the linking word. Look at the next words. Is it a noun, a gerund, or a full clause?
- If it is a noun or gerund, choose “despite” or “in spite of.” Example: despite the noise / in spite of the noise.
- If it is a subject + verb, choose “although.” Example: although the noise was loud.
- Check for “of.” Use “in spite of” (three words) but “despite” (one word, no “of”).
- Place the concession clause at the beginning or end. Both are correct, but beginning with the concession adds emphasis. Example: Although he was late, he apologized. vs. He apologized although he was late.
- Use a gerund after despite/in spite of when the subject is the same as the main clause. Example: Despite feeling sick, she went to work. (She felt sick; she went to work.)
Examples in Sentences
- Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
- She passed the exam despite not studying much.
- In spite of his fear of heights, he climbed the mountain.
- They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
- Although it was late, the children were still playing outside.
- He decided to walk although it was raining heavily.
- Despite being exhausted, she finished the marathon.
- In spite of the high cost, they booked the hotel.
- Although the food was spicy, everyone ate it happily.
- We went hiking despite the warning about bears.
- She accepted the job in spite of the low salary.
- Although he is young, he is very responsible.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Despite of the rain, we went out.
✅ Despite the rain, we went out. (Never add “of” after “despite.”) - ❌ She stayed home in spite the bad weather.
✅ She stayed home in spite of the bad weather. (Always include “of.”) - ❌ Although the cold, he wore a t-shirt.
✅ Despite the cold, he wore a t-shirt. OR Although it was cold, he wore a t-shirt. (Although needs a clause.) - ❌ Despite he was tired, he kept working.
✅ Although he was tired, he kept working. OR Despite being tired, he kept working. (Despite cannot be followed by subject + verb.) - ❌ In spite of it was sunny, they stayed inside.
✅ Although it was sunny, they stayed inside. OR In spite of the sunshine, they stayed inside.
Quick Summary
- Despite = preposition, no “of,” followed by noun or gerund.
- In spite of = preposition, always with “of,” followed by noun or gerund.
- Although = conjunction, followed by subject + verb.
- All express contrast, but their grammar is different.
- Use a comma when the concession clause comes first.
- To convert between them: Despite the rain = Although it rained.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite, in spite of, or although. Answers are below.
- __________ being busy, she called her mother.
- __________ he was sick, he went to the meeting.
- They finished the project __________ the tight deadline.
- __________ the noise, the baby slept peacefully.
- __________ she had little experience, she got the job.
Answers:
- Despite / In spite of (both correct)
- Although
- despite / in spite of (both correct)
- Despite / In spite of (both correct)
- Although
Conclusion
Mastering despite, in spite of, and although is a matter of structure, not memory. Remember: prepositions for nouns and gerunds, conjunctions for clauses. With practice, you will choose correctly without thinking. Keep this guide handy, and soon these words will feel completely natural.
FAQ
1. Is “despite” more formal than “in spite of”?
No, they are nearly identical in formality. “Despite” is slightly more common in modern writing, but both are acceptable in academic and professional contexts. Choose whichever sounds better in your sentence.
2. Can I use “although” and “despite” in the same sentence?
Yes, but not to connect the same two ideas. For example: “Although it was raining, we went out despite the bad forecast.” Here, “although” introduces the first concession, and “despite” introduces a second one. However, avoid redundancy: do not say “Although the rain, we went out despite the rain.”
3. What is the difference between “although” and “though”?
“Though” is more informal and can be used at the end of a sentence. Example: “It was expensive. I bought it, though.” “Although” cannot be used this way. In most other cases, they are interchangeable, but “although” is slightly more formal.
4. Can I use “despite” with a full clause if I add “the fact that”?
Yes. You can say “Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.” This is a useful workaround when you want to use a clause but prefer “despite.” Similarly, you can say “In spite of the fact that he was tired, he worked.” This structure is grammatically correct and common in formal writing.