‘Despite’ ‘In spite of’ ‘Although’ ‘Even though’ and ‘Though’ are linking words that express contrast, comparison and concession.
But they are not all the same. Find out how they differ and how to use them for IELTS Writing and Speaking.
What does ‘despite’ mean?
Look at the 4 sentences below. Is the meaning the same or different?
- IELTS is difficult, but I enjoy it.
- IELTS is difficult. However I enjoy it.
- Although IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
- Despite the fact that IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
The meaning is the same.
Each sentence shows the CONTRAST between the difficulty of IELTS on the one hand, and the fact that you enjoy it on the other hand.
The only difference is the linking words and punctuation.
PRACTICE (hide the model sentences above!)
- The exam was difficult, ______ I passed.
- The exam was difficult. _________, I passed.
- ________ the exam was difficult, I passed.
- Despite ___ ____ _____ the exam was difficult, I passed.
- The exam was difficult, but I passed. (Simple Band 5)
- The exam was difficult. However, I passed. (More formal Band 5.5)
- Although the exam was difficult, I passed. (More complex Band 6)
- Despite the fact that the exam was difficult, I passed. (More difficult Band 6.5)
So what about Band 7? Read on.
How do you use ‘despite’? (3 ways)
Look at the sentences below.
What is the difference in terms of grammar?
- Despite the fact that IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
- Despite IELTS being difficult, I enjoy it.
- Despite the difficulty of IELTS, I enjoy it.
1. Despite the fact that IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
Despite the fact that + Subject + Verb + Object (SVO) sentence
2. Despite IELTS being difficult, I enjoy it.
Despite + ing verb
3. Despite the difficulty of IELTS, I enjoy it.
Despite + noun
These are the 3 ways of using ‘Despite’, in order of complexity.
PRACTICE:
Check the grammar in Answer 2, and transform this sentence using ‘Despite’:
‘The exam was difficult but I passed’.
1. Despite the fact that the exam was difficult, I passed.
Despite the fact that + Subject + Verb + Object (SVO) sentence
Band 6.5 – it’s quite easy to memorise ‘Despite the fact that’ and add a full sentence.
2. Despite the exam being difficult, I passed.
Despite + ing verb
Band 7 – this is more sophisticated.
3. Despite the difficulty of the exam, I passed.
Despite + noun
Band 7+ – this is more difficult because you need to know the noun form.
Common mistakes with 'despite' and 'in spite of'
1. What’s wrong with this sentence?
*’Despite the exam was difficult, I passed’.
You cannot put a ‘normal sentence’ (SVO) after ‘Despite’.
You must either put
- ‘the fact that’
- -ing verb
- noun
2. What’s wrong with this sentence?
‘Despite of the exam was difficult, I passed’.
A synonym of ‘Despite’ is ‘In spite of’.
But you cannot mix them up!
In spite of works exactly the same as ‘Despite’ but it is a 3-word fixed expression.
Correct Answers:
- Despite/In spite of the fact that the exam was difficult…
- Despite/In spite of the exam being difficult…
- Despite/In spite of the difficulty of the exam…
You can see that this YouTube video, with over 7000 views, is actually teaching the WRONG grammar rule for ‘despite’:
How to use 'although','even though' and 'though'
Look again at these sentences:
- Despite the fact that IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
- Although IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
- Even though IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
- Though IELTS is difficult, I enjoy it.
Is there any difference in meaning? NO.
Is there any difference in grammar or level or formality? NO.
All of these options must be followed by S-V-O sentences (Subject – Verb – Object).
In less formal, spoken English, ‘though’ comes at the end of the phrase.
‘IELTS is difficult. I enjoy it though‘.
‘Although’ and ‘Even though’ are followed by Subject – Verb – Object.
- Employers may reject these CVs even though
havingthey have good qualifications.
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- British Council How to use ‘despite’ and ‘in spite of’
- How to use concession in Writing Task 2.
- How to write complex sentences for IELTS.
Let me argue from a prescriptive grammatical standpoint that “despite” is not synonymous with “in spite of.”
Most sites, including this one, say that “in spite of” and “despite” are synonyms. And so you can argue this from a descriptive grammatical standpoint.
But some time ago, if not today, a difference separated these two phrases.
In spite of went, in a way of speaking, from good to bad:
In spite of having an IQ of 183, she was a horrible chess player.
Despite went from bad to good:
Despite arriving 30 minutes late to the exam, she received the highest grade.
For some of us, the difference still exists.
Interesting thank you.
Best wishes
Fiona