CONNECTORS: CONTRASTING IDEAS

CONNECTORS: CONTRASTING IDEAS

by Michelle Arias

IN SPITE OF, DESPITE, EVEN THOUGH, ALTHOUGH AND THOUGH

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-ALL used to show CONTRAST

-ALL used for the same meaning

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The only difference is the WAY THEY ARE USED; the STRUCTURE in which they are used

​ ‘in spite of’ and ‘despite’ are placed in front of a noun or pronoun:

• ​We had a great time in spite of the rain.

• ​We had a great time despite the rain.

• ​He got the job in spite of his prison record.

​If ‘in spite of’ and ‘despite’ are used in front of the phrase ‘the fact that’ then they can be used with a subject and a verb:

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In spite of the fact that he studied very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.

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Despite the fact that it rained, we still had a great time.

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​We can also use in spite of and despite with -ing:

• ​He was very fast in spite of being terribly overweight.

• ​They arrived late despite leaving in plenty of time.

• ​Despite studying really hard, he couldn't pass the exam.

​‘Even though’ can be used the same way as ‘although’. For most native speakers ‘even though’ is slightly stronger and more emphatic than ‘although’:

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Even though we were in a terrible hotel, we had a great time.

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​After although and even though, we use a subject and a verb. 

• ​I enjoyed the course, although I would have liked more grammar practice.

• ​Although we saw each other every day, we didn't really know each other.

• ​Even though she spoke very quietly, he understood every word.

• ​She didn't get the job, even though she had all the necessary qualifications.​

Though can be used in the same way as although. ​

1.Though I wasn't keen on the film, I thought the music was beautiful.​

Though can also go at the end of the second phrase. This way of expressing contrasting ideas is most common in spoken English.​

2. 2.We waited ages for our food. The waiter was really nice, though.​

Multiple Choice

_____ they'd only known each other for two months, they got engaged.

• Despite

• In spite of

• Even though

Multiple Choice

She passed her driving test, _____ she made a lot of mistakes.

• despite

• in spite of

• even though

Multiple Choice

_____ my careful planning, we ended up staying in a really bad hotel.

• Although

• Even though

• Despite

​DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?