Although / though / even though, In spite of / despite

After although we use a subject + verb:'

• Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.


• I didn't get the job although I had the necessary qualifications.

Compare the meaning of although and because:

• We went out although it was raining.


• We didn't go out because it was raining.

After in spite of or despite, we use a noun, a pronoun (this/that/what etc.) or -ing:

• In spite of the rain, we enjoyed our holiday.


• I didn't get the job in spite of having the necessary qualifications.


• She wasn't well, but in spite of this she went to work.


• In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you.

Despite is the same as in spite of. We say in spite of, but despite [without of):

• She wasn't well, but despite this she went to work.(not despite of this)

You can say in spite of the fact (that) ... and despite the fact (that) ... :

• I didn't get the job in spite of the fact (that) I had the necessary qualifications.
  I didn't get the job despite the fact (that) I had the necessary qualifications.

Compare in spite of and because of:

• We went out in spite of the rain, (or ... despite the rain.)


• We didn't go out because of the rain.

Compare although and in spite of / despite:

• Although the traffic was bad,/In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time,
  (not In spite of the traffic was bad)


• I couldn't sleep, although I was very tired./despite being very tired.
  (not despite I was tired)

Sometimes we use though instead of although:

• I didn't get the job though I had the necessary qualifications.

In spoken English we often use though at the end of a sentence:

• The house isn't very nice. I like the garden though. (= but I like the garden)


• I see them every day. I've never spoken to them though. (= but I've never spoken to them)

Even though (but not 'even' alone) is a stronger form of although:

• Even though I was really tired, I couldn't sleep, (not Even I was really tired ...)