Contrast: although / despite / in spite of / however

Rules

• Rule 1: although / though / even though + clause

  After these words comes a full clause with a subject + verb. even though is stronger.

  Pattern: Although + subject + verb, …

  Example: Although I was tired, I helped my mom.

  Example: She kept reading even though it was late.

• Rule 2: despite / in spite of + noun / -ing

  After these words comes a noun or a verb-ing, not a full clause.

  Pattern: Despite / In spite of + noun / -ing, …

  Example: Despite the noise, I fell asleep.

  Example: In spite of running fast, we missed the bus.

• Rule 3: However

  However connects two separate sentences. It usually starts the second sentence and is followed by a comma.

  Pattern: Sentence. However, sentence.

  Example: The test was hard. However, I passed.

  Example: It's a small room. However, it's very cozy.

• Rule 4: despite the fact that + clause

  To use a full clause after despite, add the fact that.

  Pattern: despite the fact that + subject + verb

  Example: Despite the fact that it was late, we kept playing.

  Example: She won despite the fact that she started last.

Common mistakes

• Despite of the rain, we went out. → Despite the rain, we went out.

  No despite of: use despite or in spite of.

• Although the rain, we went out. → Although it was raining, we went out.

  although + clause.

• Despite it was raining, we went out. → Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.

  despite + clause needs the fact that.