Even though/Although/In spite of/Despite Practice Exercise

We can use even though, although, despite and in spite of to communicate that something is surprising or unexpected.

We use despite/in spite of before a noun or gerund. We use even though/although before a subject and a verb.

Despite being sick, I came to work.
In spite of being sick, I came to work.
Despite I was sick, I came to work.
In spite of I was sick, I came to work.  (We need the gerund or a noun after despite or in spite of.)

Although I was sick, I came to work.
Even though I was sick, I came to work.
Although being sick, I came to work.
Even though my sickness, I came to work. (We need a subject +  verb after although or even though.)

 

Additional Notes

[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] In sentences with even though, although, despite, or in spite of, the condition can come before or after the result. If the condition comes before the result, we need a comma.
Examples:
Despite having little experience, Shirley has succeeded in her new role.
Shirley has succeeded in her new role despite having little experience.
Even though Shirley has little experience, she has succeeded in her new role.
Shirley has succeeded in her new role even though she has little experience.

[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] In spite of and despite can be used interchangeably. Despite is a little more formal.

[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Even though and although can often be used interchangeably. However, we often use even though as a stronger, more emphatic form of although.

[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] We can use though instead of although. Although is generally considered more formal.
Example:
Although/though I was tired, I went to the event.
Note that though can be used as an adverb, but although cannot. See this explanation from grammarist.com.

[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] We can use in spite of/despite the fact that + subject + verb. We do not use that clauses after although and even though.
Examples:
In spite of the fact that the application is free, few people have downloaded it.
Despite the fact that the application is free, few people have downloaded it.
Although the fact that the application is free, few people have downloaded it.
Even though the fact that the application is free, few people have downloaded it.

 

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with even though, although, despite, or in spite of. More than one answer will be possible. When you are finished, click “finish quiz” and then “view questions” to see the correct answers.