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Unit 113 · Conjunctions and prepositions

although though even though in spite of despite

Study

A

Last year Paul and Sarah had a holiday by the sea. It rained a lot, but they had a good time.

You can say:

›

Although it rained a lot, they had a good time.

(= It rained a lot, but they …)

or

›

In spite of the rain, they had a good time.

›

Despite the rain, they had a good time.

B

After although we use a subject + verb:

›

Although it rained a lot, they had a good time.

›

I didn't apply for the job although I had the necessary qualifications.

Compare the meaning of although and because:

›

We went out although it was raining heavily.

›

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

C

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

›

In spite of the rain, we had a good time.

›

She wasn't well, but in spite of this she continued working.

›

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

›

I didn't apply for the job in spite of having the necessary qualifications.

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 continued working. (not despite of this)

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

›

I didn't apply for the job in spite of the fact (that) I had the necessary qualifications.

›

I didn't apply for 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.

D

Compare although and in spite of / despite:

›

Although the traffic was bad, we arrived on time. (not in spite of 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.

›

I couldn't sleep despite being very tired. (not despite I was tired)

E

though = although:

›

I didn't apply for 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 so 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 similar to although:

›

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

→ even ➜ Unit 112

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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113.1

Complete the sentences. Use although + a sentence from the box.

I didn't speak the language wellI had never seen her beforeit was quite coldI'd met her twice beforeshe has a very important jobwe don't like them very muchthe heating was onwe've known each other a long time
  1. 1
    , she isn't well-paid.example
  2. 2
    , I recognised her from a photo.
  3. 3
    Sarah wasn't wearing a coat .
  4. 4
    We decided to invite them to the party .
  5. 5
    , I managed to make myself understood.
  6. 6
    , the room wasn't warm.
  7. 7
    I didn't recognise her .
  8. 8
    We're not close friends .
113.2

Complete the sentences with although / in spite of / because / because of.

  1. 1
    it rained a lot, we had a good time.example
  2. 2
    a all our careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
  3. 3
    b we'd planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
  4. 4
    a I went home early I was feeling unwell.
  5. 5
    b I went to work the next day I was still feeling unwell.
  6. 6
    a Chris only accepted the job the salary, which was very high.
  7. 7
    b Sam accepted the job the salary, which was rather low.
  8. 8
    a there was a lot of noise, I slept quite well.
  9. 9
    b I couldn't get to sleep the noise.
  10. 10
    Use your own ideas to complete the following sentences:
    a He passed the exam although .
  11. 11
    b He passed the exam because .
  12. 12
    a I didn't eat much although .
  13. 13
    b I didn't eat much in spite of .
113.3

Make one sentence from two. Use the word(s) in brackets in your sentences.

  1. 1
    I couldn't sleep. I was very tired. (despite)
    example
  2. 2
    We played quite well. We lost the game. (in spite of)
  3. 3
    I'd hurt my foot. I managed to walk home. (although)
  4. 4
    I enjoyed the film. The story was silly. (in spite of)
  5. 5
    We live in the same building. We hardly ever see each other. (despite)
  6. 6
    They came to the party. They hadn't been invited. (even though)
113.4

Use the words in brackets to make a sentence with though at the end.

  1. 1
    The house isn't very nice. (like / garden)
    I like the garden though. example
  2. 2
    I enjoyed reading the book. (very long)
  3. 3
    We didn't like the food. (ate)
  4. 4
    Laura is very nice. (don't like / husband) I
    I