In spite of, Despite, However, Although: What's the Difference?

English learners often know that in spite of, despite, however, although, can all express contrast. The difficulty is knowing which grammatical structure to use after each one.

Compare:

Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
It was raining. However, we went for a walk.

The basic meaning is similar, but the grammar is different.

This distinction is particularly useful for learners preparing for B2 First and C1 Advanced, because these structures frequently appear in writing and Use of English tasks, especially sentence transformations.

In this lesson, we will look at the difference between in spite of, despite, however, although, examine the grammar after each expression and correct some of the most common learner mistakes.

Table of Contents

In Spite Of

In spite of introduces a contrast between two facts or situations.

It often means that something happens even though there is a difficulty, problem or unexpected situation.

Structure

in spite of + noun / pronoun / -ing form

In spite of the rain, the match continued.
In spite of feeling tired, she stayed up to finish the report.
In spite of his lack of experience, he got the job.

Notice that in spite of is not normally followed directly by a complete clause.

❌ ~~In spite of he was tired, he continued working.~~

✅ In spite of being tired, he continued working.

✅ In spite of the fact that he was tired, he continued working.

In spite of the fact that

If you want to use a full clause after in spite of, use:

in spite of the fact that + subject + verb

In spite of the fact that it was raining, they went for a walk.

This structure is correct, although it is longer and slightly more formal than simply using although.

Compare:

Although she was inexperienced, she got the job.
In spite of the fact that she was inexperienced, she got the job.

Despite

Despite has almost the same meaning as in spite of, and it follows the same grammatical pattern.

Structure

despite + noun / pronoun / -ing form

Despite the delay, the project was completed on time.
Despite working long hours, he struggled to complete the task.
Despite her young age, she showed remarkable confidence.

One of the most common learner mistakes is adding of after despite.

❌ ~~Despite of the bad weather, we went out.~~

✅ Despite the bad weather, we went out.

Remember:

in spite of ✅

despite ✅

~~despite of~~ ❌

Despite the fact that

Like in spite of, despite can be followed by a full clause if you add the fact that.

Despite the fact that the hotel was expensive, we decided to stay there.

Despite or In Spite Of?

There is very little difference in meaning between despite and in spite of.

Compare:

Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.

Both are correct.

Despite is shorter and is very common in formal and academic writing, but in spite of is also perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English.

The main thing to remember is that they follow the same grammatical structure.

Compare

despite + noun

Despite the rain, we went out.

in spite of + noun

In spite of the rain, we went out.

despite + -ing

Despite feeling tired, she continued.

in spite of + -ing

In spite of feeling tired, she continued.

Although

Although also expresses contrast, but its grammar is different.

Structure

although + subject + verb

In other words, although is followed by a full clause.

Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
She accepted the offer although the salary was lower than expected.

The although clause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Although the course was difficult, I learnt a great deal.
I learnt a great deal although the course was difficult.

When the although clause comes first, we normally put a comma after it.

Although vs Despite

This is one of the most important differences to remember.

Although + subject + verb

Although she was tired, she continued working.

Despite + noun / -ing form

Despite her tiredness, she continued working.
Despite feeling tired, she continued working.

The meaning is almost the same, but the grammatical structure changes.

This distinction is particularly useful in Cambridge Key Word Transformation tasks.

A Common Mistake: Although + But

Do not normally use although and but together in the same sentence.

❌ ~~Although the journey was long, but we enjoyed it.~~

Use either:

✅ Although the journey was long, we enjoyed it.

or:

✅ The journey was long, but we enjoyed it.

Both express contrast, but they use different grammatical structures.

However

However also introduces a contrasting idea, but it behaves differently from although.

However is a linking adverb rather than a subordinating conjunction.

It is often used to connect two separate sentences.

The plan sounded promising. However, it proved difficult to implement.
He trained hard. However, he failed to qualify for the final.
The course was demanding. However, most students found it useful.

When however appears at the beginning of a sentence, it is normally followed by a comma.

It can also follow a semicolon:

The hotel was expensive; however, the service was excellent.

Although or However?

Both words can express contrast, but they are used differently.

Although introduces a dependent clause.

Although the exam was difficult, I passed it.

However normally introduces a new contrasting statement.

The exam was difficult. However, I passed it.

Compare:

Although the journey was long, we enjoyed it.
The journey was long. However, we enjoyed it.

The meaning is similar, but the sentence structure is different.

Quick Grammar Guide

Here is the easiest way to remember the difference:

although + subject + verb

Although it was raining, we went out.

despite + noun / -ing form

Despite the rain, we went out.
Despite feeling tired, she continued.

in spite of + noun / -ing form

In spite of the rain, we went out.
In spite of feeling tired, she continued.

however + contrasting sentence or statement

It was raining. However, we went out.

Using These Structures in B2 First and C1 Advanced

Knowing the grammar is only the first step. At B2 and C1 level, you should also be able to vary the way you express contrast.

Instead of writing:

However, online learning is convenient. However, students may feel isolated. However, it can save time.

vary your structures:

Although online learning is convenient, some students miss face-to-face interaction.
Despite its convenience, online learning is not suitable for everyone.
Online learning offers considerable flexibility. However, some students find it difficult to stay motivated.

Using different structures naturally can make your writing clearer and demonstrate a wider range of grammar.

For a broader lesson covering whereas, while, even though, on the other hand and other contrast linkers, see my guide to Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas.

Want More B2 First or C1 Advanced Use of English Practice?

Understanding the difference between although, despite, in spite of and however is useful not only for writing but also for Use of English, particularly when you need to rewrite a sentence without changing its meaning.

Cambridge Key Word Transformation tasks often test your ability to change from structures such as:

although → despite

although → in spite of

or to express the same contrast using a different grammatical pattern.

If you are preparing for a Cambridge exam, my Use of English books and complete collections provide structured practice with grammar, linking words, fixed expressions, collocations, phrasal verbs, word formation and exam-style tasks.

Get the C1 Advanced Use of English Complete Collection →

Related Lessons

Final Thought

Although, despite, in spite of and however all help us express contrast, but they do not follow the same grammatical pattern.

Remember the basic rule:

although + clause

despite / in spite of + noun or -ing form

however + contrasting statement

Once you become comfortable moving between these structures, you will not only make fewer grammar mistakes but also gain much more flexibility in your B2 First and C1 Advanced writing and Use of English.

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In spite of, Despite, However, Although: What’s the Difference?

Published by My Lingua Academy on 28 Dec 202528 Dec 2025