Although, despite, however

When you use it

All of these words express contrast: one fact would lead you to expect something, and the opposite happens. But does the same job in simple sentences. The other words let you put the contrast at the beginning of the sentence, attach it to a noun, or connect two separate sentences. They are essential for writing anything longer than a text message, and they are a frequent source of errors because each one takes a different grammatical shape after it.

How it is formed

The key question is: what comes after the word? A full clause with a subject and verb, a noun or -ing form, or a new sentence.

Some points of degree. Even though is stronger than although: it stresses that the contrast is surprising. Though is a slightly less formal although at the start of a clause, and the only one of although / though / even though that can end a sentence. However and nevertheless are formal and typical of written English; nevertheless is the more emphatic of the two.

One grammatical fact explains most of the errors: although is a conjunction and joins two clauses inside one sentence, while however is an adverb and does not join anything. That is why however needs its own sentence and its own comma.

Examples

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
• We went for a walk, even though it was cold.
• Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
• In spite of feeling ill, Anna finished the report.
• Tom studied all night. However, he failed the exam.
• The flat is small. It is very bright, though.
• Despite the fact that he was tired, Tom drove home.
• Anna kept the job although the pay was low.

Common mistakes

• ✗ Although it was late, but we stayed.
  ✓ Although it was late, we stayed. / ✓ It was late, but we stayed.
  Ukrainian and Russian normally pair the two words: хоча ..., але ..., хотя ..., но .... English uses one contrast word for one pair of clauses, so although and but cannot appear together.
• ✗ Despite of the rain, we went out.
  ✓ Despite the rain, we went out. / ✓ In spite of the rain, we went out.
  Despite never takes of. The error comes from mixing it with in spite of, which does. Both translate незважаючи на / несмотря на, so learners treat them as one expression with a floating of.
• ✗ Despite it was raining, we went out.
  ✓ Despite the rain, we went out. / ✓ Although it was raining, we went out.
  Despite is a preposition, so it needs a noun or an -ing form, not a clause. In Russian несмотря на то, что accepts a full clause, which is why the sentence feels right. The English equivalent of that longer form is despite the fact that.
• ✗ It was cold, however we went out.
  ✓ It was cold. However, we went out.
  Однако can sit between two clauses as a conjunction. However cannot; it is an adverb, so the first clause must end (full stop or semicolon) and however is followed by a comma.
• ✗ I like the flat, although.
  ✓ I like the flat, though.
  Although cannot end a sentence; though can. Although must introduce a clause.

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