Difference between Although /Even though/Though/In spite of / Despite and its usage!

Do you know how to join two contrasting ideas?

We are often confused when using these words, although, even though, in spite of and despite are all commonly used to join two contrasting ideas. They can be used at the starting point of the sentence or in the middle of the sentence or in the end of the sentence. The main variation between these words are, that they are used with different structures.

Even Though

Although, even though and though are almost equivalent, but ‘even though’ is the excellent word when we want to make an exact sentence between the expectation and the actual result.

EXAMPLE

• Even though I invited Nisha to my wedding, she didn’t come
• Nisha didn’t come to my wedding even though I invited her.

The above example sentences show the results of disappointment.

Here, even though stands formal, stronger and acts emphasis.

Though and Although

The words Though and Although are very much alike, nevertheless they are used in different structures. Though and although are conjunctions. They go before a clause

‘Though’ is frequently used in informal spoken English. It is definitely most versatile, it can be fixed at the starting point, middle of the sentence and at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLE

• Though they performed well they lost their Dance competition. 
• They lost their Dance competition, though they performed well.
• They performed well. They lost their dance competition, though.

We use although at the top of a clause which enclose knowledge that vary in an abrupt or unanticipated way with knowledge in another clause.

EXAMPLE

• ‘Although’ I invited James to my Birthday party. He didn’t come

Also, we can frame this sentence in one more form i.e., James didn’t come to my Birthday party although I invited him.

Thus, the word ‘Although’ gives us little more flexibility to rearrange the sentences.

INSPITE OF/DESPITE

Inspite of /Despite are both prepositional statements. We apply both despite and inspite of especially for contrasting between two things.

(Despite is more formalistic and regular than inspite of)

EXAMPLE

• Despite the weather, we went on a trip.
• In spite of the pain in his muscle, he won the competition.