B1 Intermediate too/enough, so/such, contrast
Contrast linkers
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can link contrasting ideas with although, despite, in spite of and however, each with its own grammar.
When to use it
- Stating something unexpected: Although it was raining, we went out.
- Building complex sentences in essays.
- Transformation tasks very often ask you to switch between although and despite.
Form
| Linker | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|
| although / though | clause (S + V) | Although it was raining, we went out. |
| despite | noun or V-ing | Despite the rain / Despite being tired,… |
| in spite of | noun or V-ing | In spite of the rain,… |
| however | new sentence, followed by a comma | It rained. However, we went out. |
Step by step
- Look at what you want to put after the linker.
- A clause with a subject and verb → although.
- A noun or V-ing → despite or in spite of.
- Two separate sentences → however at the start of the second, with a comma.
How to convert
| With although | With despite | How |
|---|---|---|
| Although it was cold,… | Despite the cold,… | clause → noun phrase |
| Although he was ill,… | Despite his illness,… | adjective → noun |
| Although she is young,… | Despite being young,… | use V-ing |
Examples
Although it was raining, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out.
In spite of the noise, I slept well.
It was raining. However, we went out.
Despite being very tired, she finished the race.
Although she studied hard, she didn't pass.
Common mistakes
Despite he was tired, he kept working. → Although he was tired, he kept working.
despite cannot take a clause. With a subject and verb you need although.
In spite the rain, we played football. → In spite of the rain, we played football.
The phrase has three words: in spite of. Dropping of is wrong.
Despite of the rain, we went out. → Despite the rain, we went out.
despite takes no of; only in spite of has one.
Memory tip
Remember by length: although is long enough to carry a whole clause; despite is short and carries only a noun. And despite has no of, while in spite of does.
Summary
- although + clause · despite / in spite of + noun or V-ing.
- however starts a new sentence and takes a comma.
- despite has no of; in spite of does.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.