Even though I cook a lot, I am not good at it.

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Conjunctions/Prepositions of Contrast (In Spite Of / Despite / Although / Even Though)

Advanced

After this lesson, you will be able to combine two sentences that contrast.

Exercise 1

Sentence Practice

Even though he was a good worker, he was never promoted.
Although she studied French in high school, she can’t speak it anymore.
In spite of the rain, we played football.
Despite having a stomach ache, he came to the party.

Grammar Focus

Independent/Dependent Clauses

A complex sentence is a sentence that has an independent clause and a dependent clause. The independent clause is a complete sentence. The dependent clause is not a complete sentence; it 'depends' on the main clause and starts with a conjunction:

[Independent clause]
I ate lunch.

[Dependent clause]
While I watched TV (= not a complete sentence; 'while' is the conjunction)

[Complex sentences]
→ While I watched TV, I ate lunch.
→ I ate lunch while I watched TV.

As you can see in the two complex sentences above, the independent clause can come before or after the dependent clause.

How to use 'Although/Even though'

Form the dependent clause like this: 'although/even though' + Subject + Verb.

Although we left late, we arrived at the airport on time.
Even though we left late, we arrived at the airport on time.

'Even though' feels stronger than 'although.'

How to use 'In spite of/Despite'

We can convey the same information using a prepositional phrase: 'in spite of/despite' + noun/pronoun/gerund.

In spite of our delayed departure, we arrived on time. (noun)
Despite leaving late, we arrived on time. (gerund)

Exercise 2

Sentence Practice

Dependent Clause

Even though she loved him, she never said it.
Although I have enough money, I will not travel this year.
Although he is a doctor, he does not earn a lot of money.
We are not very close, even though he is my brother.

Prepositional Phrase

In spite of the storm, the Internet connection was stable.
In spite of his failures, he was confident.
Despite her bad grades, she caught up quickly.
There were still people on the streets, in spite of the rain.
In spite of her parents' wishes, she dropped out of university.
In spite of being sick, he came to work today. (gerund)

Exercise 3

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences.

he didn't want to, he had to study for the test.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

he didn't like his job, he did not quit.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

the fact that the clock is broken, it is still valuable.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

I'm going to the market, the rain.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

he waited for her, she did not come.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

He ran very quickly being terribly overweight.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

it is the weekend, I still have to work.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

he is super smart, he never really shows it.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

he never said it, I am sure he was mad at me.

A.
Although/Even though
B.
In spite of/despite

Exercise 4

Sentence Building

Make sentences using although/even though/despite/in spite of. The [words in brackets] are for the dependent clauses and the other words are for the independent clauses.

Example

[run ten kilometers] out of shape → "Even though I run ten kilometers everyday, I am out of shape."

[short] good at basketball
[height] good at basketball
[laptop broke] didn't buy a new one
[broken laptop] finished his work
[having left on time] arrived late
[left on time] were late
[bad weather] enjoyed my vacation
[the weather was terrible] went outside