Despite vs Although: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Despite" is used with a noun or gerund, while "although" is used with a clause.
Memory Tip: despite = noun/gerund, although = full sentence
despite ends with /t/, although ends with /oʊ/
despite
prepositionIn spite of; without being affected by.
Example:
Despite feeling tired, she finished all her homework before dinner.
Common patterns:
despite the fact that
despite being
despite the weather
although /ɔːlˈðoʊ/
conjunctionUsed to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously.
Example:
Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk in the park.
Common patterns:
although + clause
although + subject + verb
Common Mistakes
Despite it was raining, we went for a walk.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
'Although' is correct here because it introduces a clause 'it was raining'.
Although the heavy traffic, he arrived on time.
Despite the heavy traffic, he arrived on time.
'Despite' is correct here because it is followed by the noun phrase 'the heavy traffic'.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. ____ feeling tired, she finished all her homework before dinner.
2. ____ it was raining, we decided to go for a walk in the park.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse despite / although again
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