ALTHOUGH - DESPITE

ALTHOUGH - DESPITE

(Although - even though / Despite - in spite of)

Meaning and use in English.

---

Although/even though and despite/in spite of are used to combine or link two contrasting statements.

• Although/even though are followed by a subject and a verb.
  
  Even though is a slightly stronger form of 'although'.
  
  Although and though have the same meaning and are interchangeable in most cases.
  
  
  • Although/even though it was raining, she walked to the station.
  • Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
  • Although/even though Amy was wearing glasses, she couldn't read the notice.
  Although/even though he disapproved, he said nothing.
  • Although/even though Jack had worked hard, he failed the exam.
    
• Despite/in spite of are followed by a noun, a pronoun or a verb ending in -ing.
  (The gerund, a verb ending in -ing,  is the 'noun' form of a verb.)
  
  N.B. Despite/in spite of  have the same meaning, but despite is used without 'of'.
  
  
  • Despite/in spite of the rain he walked to the station.
  • He noticed the rain but he walked to the station in spite of it.
  • Despite being wet and tired, he walked to the station.
  • He decided to go sailing despite/in spite of the bad weather conditions.
    

Example:
He had enough money. He refused to buy a new car.

The above two statements can be combined as follows :

• Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
• Despite/in spite of having enough money he refused to buy a new car.
• He had enough money, but despite/in spite of that he refused to buy a new car.