Expressing contrast
Although, though,
in spite of, despite
Autor:
Mgr. Jana Bálková
Datum:
22. 9. 2012
We went for a trip at the weekend.
It rained a lot but we enjoyed ourselves.
=> Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed ourselves.
• we use subject and verb after although
Other examples:
I didn’t get the job, although I had all necessary
qualifications.
We went out, although it was raining.
Although he worked hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
In spoken English we often use THOUGH instead of although, it is
informal:
He didn’t come, though we’d invited him.
EVEN THOUGH is stronger form of although
Even though I was really tired, I couldn’t sleep.
Compare:
We went out, although it was raining.
We didn’t go out because it was raining.
We went for a trip at the weekend.
It rained a lot but we enjoyed ourselves.
In spite of
the rain, we enjoyed ourselves.
Despite
• we use noun, pronoun or –ing form after in spite of
or despite
Other examples:
I didn’t get the job despite having all necessary
qualifications.
She didn’t feel well. In spite of this, she went to work.
In spite of the traffic, I arrived on time.
Despite = in spite of
We went out in spite of/ despite OF the rain.
You can also say IN
SPITE OF THE FACT / DESPITE THE FACT…
I didn’t call him in spite of the fact (that) he gave me
his number.
Despite the fact that he didn’t feel well, he went to
work.
More examples:
I’m no better in spite of (taking) the pills.
I’m no better despite (taking) the pills.
I’m no better in spite of the fact that I’ve taken the pills.
I’m no better although I’ve taken the pills.
Laura wants to fly in spite of her fear.
Laura wants to fly despite feeling afraid.
Laura wants to fly despite the fact that she feels afraid.
Laura wants to fly although she feels afraid.
Join the sentences. Use ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, IN SPITE OF, DESPITE
a) I liked the sweatshirt. I decided not to buy it.
b) She wanted to go there. It was dangerous.
c) The café was crowded. Finally I found a table.
d) Mark was feeling unwell. He went on working.
e) You don’t like Jessica. You should try to be nice to her.
f) I dropped the dish. Fortunately it didn’t break.
g) My sister got a job. She didn’t expect that.
h) Dan forgot his passport. He had it on his list.
i) Trevor didn’t notice the sign. It was right in front of
him.