Prepositions of contrast

450 fill-in-the-gap exercises, 45 tests of ten

They introduce something unexpected. The choice depends on whether a noun or a clause follows.

The whole village came the unexpected result

despite preposition of contrast

the heavy rain a noun, not a clause

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Getting your first question ready.

The whole topic turns on this:

despite and in spite of take a noun: despite the delay
although, though and even though take a clause: although we were delayed

Note the spelling: despite has no of; in spite of has one. Mixing them into despite of is the single commonest error here.

Add or remove a verb:

Although the hotel was expensive… → Despite the expense…

If you want to keep the verb with despite, use the fact that:

Despite the fact that the hotel was expensive…

Or use the -ing form: Despite being expensive…

All three join two contrasting statements, but they sit differently:

but joins two clauses in one sentence: It was expensive, but we booked it.
yet does the same, a little more formally: It was expensive, yet we booked it.
however starts a new sentence, or follows a semicolon: It was expensive. However, we booked it.

However takes a comma after it. That comma is part of how it works.

These compare two facts rather than defeating an expectation:

He likes cities, whereas I prefer the countryside.

Nothing is surprising here — the two halves are simply different. That is what separates them from although.

English uses one and only one:

Although it was late, we stayed. ✓ Although it was late, but we stayed. ✗

Word	Followed by	Example
despite	a noun or -ing	despite the rain
in spite of	a noun or -ing	in spite of the rain
although, though	a clause	although it was raining
even though	a clause, stronger	even though it was raining
but, yet	a clause, joined	It rained, but we went.
however	a new sentence	It rained. However, we went.
while, whereas	a clause, two facts compared	He likes tea, whereas I prefer coffee.

Taken from the 450 sentences in this drill. The answer is highlighted.

The bridge was closed for repairs, but the traffic moved surprisingly well.
We found our friends immediately despite the enormous crowd.
Only nine people came although the hall seats two hundred.
The shop was full of customers, yet the owner still lost money.
Even though the letter was sent by express post, it took eleven days to arrive.
The laptop cost very little; however, it handles video editing easily.
Though the sign clearly says no parking, the street is lined with cars.
While older students prefer written exams, younger ones like oral tests.
In spite of the small kitchen, they cooked for forty guests.
Sarah is very outgoing whereas her sister is quite shy.
The water looked clean; nevertheless, the laboratory found bacteria in it.
We heard every word she said regardless of the loud music.

Wrong: Despite it was raining, we went. correct: Although it was raining, we went.

Despite needs a noun. With a clause, use although.

Wrong: Despite of the rain, we went. correct: Despite the rain, we went.

Despite takes no of. In spite of does.

Wrong: Although it was raining, but we went. correct: Although it was raining, we went.

One connector is enough.