Posts tagged confusing words

Despite the rain…

The TOEIC exam will check your understanding of how to use despite, in spite of, although & even though in English. Today I am going to show you how these words and phrases are used.

Despite and In Spite Of have the same meaning and are used with the same grammar.

Despite + Noun not despite of

• Despite the rain, we went to the beach.
• Despite the time, we continued talking.

Despite + Gerund not despite of

• Despite losing her wallet, Jane was in a good mood.
• Despite waiting for an hour, we were glad to sit in the train.

Despite + the fact that + Sentence

• Despite the fact that it was raining, we went to the beach.
• Despite the fact that Jane lost her wallet, she was in a good mood.

In spite of + Noun

• In spite of the rain, we went to the beach.
• In spite of the time, we continued talking.

In spite of + Gerund

• In spite of losing her wallet, Jane was in a good mood.
• In spite of waiting for an hour, we were glad to sit in the train.

In spite of + the fact that + Sentence

• In spite of the fact that it was raining, we went to the beach.
• In spite of the fact that Jane lost her wallet, she was in a good mood.

Although & even though have the same structure, but even though has a stronger meaning. We use although (or) even though + sentence

• Although it was raining, we went to the beach.
• Although Jane lost her wallet, she was in a good mood.
• Even though it was raining, we went to the beach.
• Even though Jane lost her wallet, she was in a good mood.

Now it’s your turn. How about trying to write an original sentence using some of the above patterns. Use the comment box below!

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!