Clauses of Concession: Despite, In Despite Of, Although
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Clauses of Concession: Despite / In Spite of / Although |
Clauses of Concession: Despite, In Despite Of, Although
| Clauses of concession are used to express contrasting information or ideas that go against the expected or logical outcome. They convey a sense of concession or acknowledgment of an opposing fact or circumstance. In English, common expressions used to introduce clauses of concession include “despite,” “in spite of,” and “although.” Understanding their usage and differences is important for clear and effective communication. In this section, we will explore the usage of “despite,” “in spite of,” and “although” in clauses of concession.
1- Despite: “Despite” is a preposition used to introduce a clause of concession. It indicates that something happens or exists despite a particular fact or condition. It is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
Example: Despite the rain, they decided to go for a walk.
2- In spite of: “In spite of” is a prepositional phrase that serves the same purpose as “despite.” It is used to introduce a clause of concession and implies that something occurs despite a particular circumstance.
Example: In spite of his busy schedule, he managed to complete the project.
Note: “Despite” and “in spite of” are often interchangeable and have the same meaning. The choice between them is a matter of personal preference.
3- Although: “Although” is a conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause expressing a contrasting idea or circumstance. It implies a concession or acknowledgment of an opposing fact.
Example: Although it was late, she decided to attend the meeting.
Note: Unlike “despite” and “in spite of,” “although” is followed by a complete clause rather than a noun, pronoun, or gerund. |
Clauses of Concession: Despite / In Spite of / Although
Conclusion: Understanding how to use “despite,” “in spite of,” and “although” in clauses of concession is essential for expressing contrasting information or acknowledging opposing circumstances. “Despite” and “in spite of” are prepositions used to introduce such clauses, while “although” is a conjunction. Practice using these expressions to effectively convey concession and contrast in your English communication. |
Exercise-1
Complete these sentences with although, in spite of or despite.
| 1. ———- it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 2. ———- all my careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 3. ———- I had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 4. I love music ———- I can’t play a musical instrument.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 5. ———- being very tired, we carried on walking.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 6. The heating was full on, but ———- this the house was still cold.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 7. Keith decided to give up his job ———- I advised him not to.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 8. ———- the light rain, the baseball game was not canceled.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 9. She was still able to finish her assignment before class ———- she was interrupted.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 10. ———- their quarrel, they are very good friends.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 11. They arrived on time ———- the delay.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 12. Dick and Sarah are still planning to get married ———- their disagreement.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 13. ———- the pills that are available, many people still have trouble sleeping.
although
in spite of
despite |
| 14. Most people still prefer to travel by plane ———- airfares increased greatly.
although
in spite of
despite |
Answers:
1- Although
Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
2- In spite of/Despite
In spite of all my careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
3- Although
Although I had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
4- although
I love music although I can’t play a musical instrument.
5- In spite of/Despite
Despite being very tired, we carried on walking.
6- In spite of/Despite
The heating was full on, but despite this the house was still cold.
7- although
Keith decided to give up his job although I advised him not to.
8- In spite of/Despite
Despite the light rain, the baseball game was not canceled.
9- although
She was still able to finish her assignment before class although she was interrupted.
10- In spite of/Despite
Despite their quarrel, they are very good friends.
11- In spite of/Despite
They arrived on time despite the delay.
12- In spite of/Despite
Dick and Sarah are still planning to get married despite their disagreement.
13- In spite of/Despite
Despite the pills that are available, many people still have trouble sleeping.
14- although
Most people still prefer to travel by plane although airfares increased greatly. |
Exercise-2
Write a new sentence with the same meaning. Use the word(s) in brackets.
Example: I couldn’t sleep although I was tired, ( despite ) — I couldn’t sleep despite being tired, ( or despite the fact ( that ) I was tired ).
| 1. Although he’s got an English name, he is in fact German. (despite) |
| 2. In spite other injured foot, she managed to walk to the village. (although) |
| 3. I decided to accept the job although the salary was low. (in spite of) |
| 4. We lost the match although we were the better team. (despite) |
| 5. In spite of not having eaten for 24 hours, I didn’t feel hungry. (even though) |
| 6. They have very little money. They are happy. (in spite of) |
| 7. My foot was injured. I managed to walk to the nearest village. (although) |
| 8. I enjoy the film. The story was silly. (in spite of) |
| 9. We live in the same street. We hardly ever see each other. (despite) |
| 10. I got very wet in the rain. I had an umbrella. (even though) |
Answers:
| 1. Despite his English name/ Despite having an English name/Despite the fact that he has an English name … |
| 2. Although she had an injured foot/Although her foot was injured … |
| 3. … in spite of the low salary/… in spite of the salary being low/… in spite of the fact that the salary was low … |
| 4. … despite being the best team/ … despite the fact that we were the best team … |
| 5. Even though I hadn’t eaten for 24 hours … |
| 6. In spite of having very little money, they are happy. |
| 7. Although my foot was injured … |
| 8. I enjoyed the film in spite of the silly story/… in spite of the story being silly. |
| 9. Despite living in the same street, we hardly ever see each other. |
| 10. Even though I had an umbrella, I got very wet in the rain. |
Clauses of Concession: Despite, In Despite Of, Although
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Exercise-3
Choose the word or words that correctly complete the sentences below.
| 1. ( Although / Despite ) cats cannot see in complete darkness, their eyes are much more sensitive to light than are humans’ eyes. |
| 2. ( Although / In spite of ) its frightening appearance, the octopus is shy and completely harmless. |
| 3. The northwestern part of Texas is called the Panhandle ( because / because of ) its shape. |
| 4. ( Although / Despite ) their light weight, aluminum alloys can be very strong. |
| 5. ( Although / In spite o f) Adlai Stevenson was never elected President, he was one of the preeminent American politicians of the mid-twentieth century. |
| 6. ( Although / Despite ) it can occur in adults, chicken pox is classified as a disease of childhood. |
Answers :
1- Although
Although cats cannot see in complete darkness, their eyes are much more sensitive to light than are humans’ eyes
2- In spite of
In spite of its frightening appearance, the octopus is shy and completely harmless.
3- because of
The northwestern part of Texas is called the Panhandle because of its shape.
4- Despite
Despite their light weight, aluminum alloys can be very strong.
5-Although
Although Adlai Stevenson was never elected President, he was one of the preeminent American politicians of the mid-twentieth century.
6- Although
Although it can occur in adults, chickenpox is classified as a disease of childhood |
Clauses of Concession: Despite, In Despite Of, Although
Exercise-4
Fill in the blanks with one of the words from A ) , B ) , C ) , or D ) .
1. It looked dark and heavy ———- it was going to rain.
A ) although
B ) unless
C ) as if
D ) whereas
Answer: C) as if
“As if” is used to describe a situation that seems to be true or is being portrayed, even though it may not be the actual case. In this sentence, it suggests that the appearance of darkness and heaviness gives the impression that it is going to rain. |
2. ———- I get your call, I will leave.
A ) As soon as
B ) As though
C ) By the time
D ) Now that
Answer: A) As soon as
“As soon as” is used to indicate that an action will happen immediately after another action or event. In this sentence, it implies that the person will leave as soon as they receive the call. |
3. ———- he had read the instructions several times, he knew what to do.
A ) Whereas
B ) After
C ) Until
D ) While
Answer : B ) After
“After he had read the instructions several times, he knew what to do.” In this sentence, “after” is used to indicate that one event happens following another event. The phrase “he had read the instructions several times” represents the first event, and “he knew what to do” represents the second event. The word “after” connects these two events and shows the temporal relationship between them. It implies that the second event (knowing what to do) occurred after the first event (reading the instructions several times). |
4. ———- he cannot afford a car, he rides a bicycle.
A ) Unless
B ) Whereas
C ) Though
D ) Because
Answer :D) Because.
In the given sentence, the clause “he cannot afford a car” provides the reason or cause for the second part of the sentence, which is “he rides a bicycle.” The word “because” is used to introduce a reason or explanation for something. It shows the cause-and-effect relationship between not being able to afford a car and choosing to ride a bicycle instead.
Here’s the sentence with the correct answer and its English explanation:
“He rides a bicycle because he cannot afford a car.” This means that the person chooses to ride a bicycle as a mode of transportation because they do not have the financial means to purchase a car. The word “because” connects the two clauses and indicates the reason for the action.
I hope this clarifies the usage of “because” in the sentence. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask! |
5. ———- the cities do not provide better and cheaper mass transport, the traffic problem will get worse.
A ) So that
B ) Even though
C ) If
D ) Before
Answer: B) Even though
“Even though” is used to introduce a contrast or concession. In this sentence, it highlights that the traffic problem will get worse, despite the cities not providing better and cheaper mass transport. |
6. ———- you go to Canada, you should visit Toronto.
A ) When
B ) As
C ) Since
D ) Unless
Answer: A ) When
” When.” The phrase “When you go to Canada, you should visit Toronto” indicates that visiting Toronto is recommended during the time when the person goes to Canada. Sorry for the mistake in my previous response. |
7. ———- riding a bicycle is a good leg exercise, it does not use up a lot of calories.
A ) As
B ) Although
C ) Because
D ) So that
Answer: B) Although
“Although” is used to introduce a contrasting statement. In this sentence, it indicates that despite riding a bicycle being a good leg exercise, it does not use up a lot of calories. |
8. She turned off the record player ———- she could study.
A ) now that
B ) even if
C ) so that
D ) in case
Answer : C ) so that
“C) so that.” The sentence is: “She turned off the record player so that she could study.” In this sentence, the phrase “so that” is used to indicate the purpose or intention of turning off the record player. It shows that the action of turning off the record player was done in order to enable her to study. |
Clauses of Concession : Despite, In Despite Of, Although |
