although/even though + clause, + main clauseUse although or even though before a full clause with subject + verb. Add a comma when this part comes first.
Concession Clauses
B1Use although/even though before a full clause, and despite/in spite of before a noun or -ing form. They show contrast: the result happens anyway.
What you'll learn
- Use although and even though before a full clause.
- Use despite and in spite of before a noun or -ing form.
- Choose the connector from the words that come next.
- Use in spite of the fact that with a full clause.
- Recognize concession markers that signal unexpected contrast.
Structure
despite/in spite of + noun/-ing, + main clauseUse despite or in spite of before a noun phrase or -ing form, not before a full clause.
in spite of/despite the fact that + clause, + main clauseUse this longer pattern when you need a full clause after despite or in spite of.
Build a sentence
Connector
What follows
Although Anna was tired,she finished the report
Although Anna was tired, she finished the report.
Use although before a full clause with subject + verb.
When to use
Unexpected result
One fact suggests a different result, but the action still happens. Although Maya was tired, she finished the presentation.
Formal contrast
Use these patterns in reports and arguments to balance two true ideas. In spite of the delay, the project stayed on budget.
Daily situations
Use them for real-life contrasts in work, travel, study, and health. Even though it was raining, we walked home.
Markers
althougheven thoughdespitein spite ofthe fact that
In contrast
vs despite-in-spite-of
Although/even though are followed by a full clause. Despite/in spite of are followed by a noun phrase or -ing form.
vs contrast-connectors
Contrast connectors like but join two ideas directly. Concession clauses show that one fact does not stop the other result.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Despite she was tired, Anna finished the report.
Correct
Although she was tired, Anna finished the report.
After despite, use a noun phrase or -ing form, not a full clause.
Wrong
Although the rain, they played tennis.
Correct
Despite the rain, they played tennis.
Although needs a subject and a verb. The rain is only a noun phrase.
Wrong
In spite of she studied hard, Maria failed the test.
Correct
Although she studied hard, Maria failed the test.
She studied hard is a full clause, so use although/even though, not in spite of alone.
Wrong
In spite of she was busy, Lisa called me.
Correct
In spite of the fact that she was busy, Lisa called me.
With a full clause after in spite of, add the fact that.
Wrong
Although it was late Tom kept working.
Correct
Although it was late, Tom kept working.
When the concession clause comes first, use a comma before the main clause.
Common misconceptions
❝ All four connectors work in the same way, so I can swap them freely. ❞
They share the idea of contrast, but the grammar after them changes. Check whether the next part is a full clause or a noun/-ing form.
❝ Even though is just a longer version of although with no difference in meaning. ❞
Both are correct before a full clause, but even though gives a stronger feeling of surprise or contrast.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_ALTHOUGH_EVEN_THOUGHw5Use although and even though before a full clause
Use although or even though when the next part has a subject and a verb. Even though gives a stronger contrast than although.
USE_DESPITE_IN_SPITE_OFw5Use despite and in spite of before a noun or -ing form
Use despite or in spite of with a noun, pronoun, or verb + -ing, not with a full clause. The meaning is contrast: one fact does not stop the other.
CHOOSE_CLAUSE_OR_NOUN_PATTERNw5Choose the right pattern after the connector
Pick although/even though for clause + clause, and despite/in spite of for noun phrase or -ing form. The connector depends on the shape of the words that follow.
BUILD_IN_SPITE_OF_THE_FACT_THATw3Use in spite of the fact that with a full clause
Use in spite of the fact that when you want the despite pattern but the next part is a full clause with subject and verb.
USE_FOR_UNEXPECTED_RESULTw4Use concession clauses for an unexpected result
Use these connectors when one fact makes the second fact surprising. The second action happens anyway.
PICK_CONTRAST_MARKERSw3Recognize common concession markers
Words and phrases like although, even though, despite, and in spite of signal contrast where the result still happens.