1. Introduction — Three Words, One Meaning, Different Grammar
"Although," "despite" and "in spite of" all introduce a contrast, but they're structurally incompatible with each other, one needs a full clause with a subject and verb, the other two need a noun or a gerund, never a clause. Mixing these up ("despite it was raining") is one of the most common, most heavily tested errors at B2 and C1 level, precisely because the meaning is identical and the grammar isn't.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ Although vs Despite vs In Spite Of at a Glance
although / though / even though+ subject + verb (a full clause): Although it was raining, we went out.
despite / in spite of+ noun or -ing (never a clause): Despite the rain, we went out.
Same meaning as"However" and "but," just in a subordinate clause structure
Common Mistake"Despite it was raining" instead of "Despite the rain" or "Although it was raining"
🇪🇸
Resumen en español
"Although" va seguido de una oración completa (sujeto + verbo), mientras que "despite" y "in spite of" van seguidos de un sustantivo o gerundio, nunca de una oración completa. El español usa "aunque" de forma más flexible con ambas estructuras, así que esta distinción gramatical inglesa es una de las más examinadas en Cambridge B2 y C1.
3. Although, Though and Even Though
Word
Structure
Example
although
+ subject + verb
Although it was raining, we went out.
though
+ subject + verb (more informal, can also go at the end of a sentence)
It was raining. We went out, though.
even though
+ subject + verb (stronger, more emphatic contrast)
Even though it was raining heavily, we still went out.
4. Despite and In Spite Of
These two are interchangeable in meaning and grammar, "in spite of" is simply the older, slightly more formal-sounding alternative. Both are followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), never a full clause with its own subject and verb.
Word
Structure
Example
despite
+ noun
Despite the rain, we went out.
despite
+ gerund (-ing)
Despite feeling tired, she finished the race.
in spite of
+ noun
In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.
in spite of
+ gerund (-ing)
In spite of losing the first match, they won the tournament.
💡
The reliable test
Is there a subject and a conjugated verb right after the word? If yes, you need "although/though/even though." If what follows is just a noun or an -ing word, you need "despite" or "in spite of." This single test resolves almost every case.
5. Despite the Fact That / In Spite of the Fact That
If you want to use "despite" or "in spite of" with a full clause, you can, but only by adding "the fact that" first, which turns the following clause into a noun phrase grammatically.
Structure
Example
despite the fact that + clause
Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.
in spite of the fact that + clause
In spite of the fact that she was tired, she kept working.
6. All Forms Compared
Meaning: Contrast
Followed By
although / though / even though
a full clause (subject + verb)
despite / in spite of
a noun or a gerund (-ing)
despite the fact that / in spite of the fact that
a full clause (subject + verb), via "the fact that"
7. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
Despite it was raining, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out. / Although it was raining, we went out.
"Despite" can't be followed by a full clause, only a noun or gerund.
Although the rain, we went out.
Although it was raining, we went out. / Despite the rain, we went out.
"Although" needs a full clause, not just a noun.
In spite of she was tired, she finished.
In spite of being tired, she finished. / Although she was tired, she finished.
"In spite of" needs a noun or gerund, not a subject + verb clause.
Despite of the rain, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out.
"Despite" never takes "of" — only "in spite OF" does.
8. Exercises
A. Gap Fill — Complete with the correct word (8 questions)
1. ___ it was raining, we went for a walk. (although/despite)
2. ___ the rain, we went for a walk. (although/despite)
3. She passed the exam ___ not studying much. (although/despite)
4. ___ she didn't study much, she passed the exam. (although/despite)
5. He finished the race ___ his injury. (although/despite)
6. ___ of the traffic, we arrived on time. (in spite / despite — choose the correct one with "of")
7. Despite ___ (be) tired, she kept working. (gerund form)
8. ___ the fact that he was late, he stayed calm. (despite/although — choose the one that fits with "the fact that")
Show Answers (A)
1. Although 2. Despite 3. despite 4. Although 5. despite 6. in spite 7. being 8. Despite (or In spite of)
B. Multiple Choice (5 questions)
1. ___ the rain, we went out. (a) Although (b) Despite
2. ___ it was raining, we went out. (a) Although (b) Despite
3. She succeeded ___ many difficulties. (a) although (b) despite
4. ___ losing the match, they stayed positive. (a) Although (b) Despite
5. ___ of the cost, we bought it. (a) Despite (b) In spite
Show Answers (B)
1.b 2.a 3.b 4.b 5.b
C. Error Correction (4 questions)
1. Despite it was raining, we went out.
2. Although the rain, we went out.
3. In spite of she was tired, she finished.
4. Despite of the rain, we went out.
Show Answers (C)
1. Despite the rain, we went out. 2. Although it was raining, we went out. 3. In spite of being tired, she finished. 4. Despite the rain, we went out.
D. Freer Practice — Write Your Own Sentences (2 tasks)
1. Write a sentence using "although" with a full clause.
2. Write a sentence using "despite" with a noun or gerund, expressing the same idea.
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples: 1. "Although he was exhausted, he finished the marathon." 2. "Despite his exhaustion, he finished the marathon."
9. Mini Quiz
10. Exam Focus — Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
Exam
How This Is Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge B2 First / C1 Advanced
One of the most frequently tested key word transformation patterns at these levels.
"It was raining, but we went out." → "___ the rain, we went out." (Despite)
IELTS Writing Task 2
Correct use of both forms adds genuine grammatical range and accuracy to argumentative essays.
"Despite the challenges, renewable energy adoption continues to grow."
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)
Using contrast structures naturally strengthens extended opinions at higher levels.
"Although I enjoy my job, I'd like more flexibility."
11. Frequently Asked Questions
"Although" is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb; "despite" is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing), never a full clause.
No difference in meaning or grammar, "in spite of" is simply a slightly more formal or old-fashioned alternative to "despite," and both follow the same rules.
No — "despite" never takes "of" after it; only "in spite OF" includes "of." This is a very common spelling/word error.
Add "the fact that" first: "despite the fact that it was raining," which turns the clause into a noun phrase that despite can grammatically accept.
They mean the same thing, but "though" is more informal and can also be placed at the end of a sentence ("It was raining. We went out, though"), which "although" cannot do.
At higher levels, yes, using although and despite naturally and accurately strengthens extended opinions and explanations in speaking tests.
📅 Ready to Master Although, Despite and In Spite Of?
Reading about grammar takes you part of the way. Real fluency comes from using it, in conversation, with a tutor who corrects you immediately. Book a free level test with Elite Language Solutions and find out exactly where you are.
Keep this lesson free online, then use the Complete English Grammar Companion for revision and extra practice. Enter your email once to unlock the free PDF.