Page 205 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

u o n i r a s i s : a i i n o u g n a n a i n o u g n ; e v e n
t h o u g h / i f ; i n s p i t e o f a n d d e s p i t e

Although and though
We use although or though when we want to say that there is an unexpected contrast between
what happened in the main clause and what happened in the adverbial clause:
a • Although/Though Reid failed to score himself, he helped Jones score two goals, (or Reid
• failed to score himself, but he helped Jones score two goals.)
• She bought a car, although/though she was still too young to learn to drive, (or She was still
too young to learn to drive, but she bought a car.)
We can usually use either although or though, but though is often less formal. Though, but not
although, can also be used as an adverb to say that the information in a clause contrasts with
information in a previous sentence (see also Unit 103):
• I eat most dairy products. I'm not keen on yoghurt, though, (not ...although.)
• 'That cheese smells awful!' 'It tastes good, though, doesn't it?' (not ...although...)
We can give special emphasis to an adjective or adverb by putting it before though or as,
especially when followed by a linking verb such as be, appear, become, look, seem, sound,
prove, etc. Notice that in this pattern you can't use although. Compare:
• Although/Though the night air was hot, they slept soundly, and
• Hot though (or as) the night air was, they slept soundly, (not Hot although the night air...)
• Although/Though it may seem extraordinary, London had less rain than Rome, and
• Extraordinary though (or as) it may seem, London had less rain than Rome, (not
Extraordinary although it may seem...)
Much as is used in a similar way before a clause, particularly to talk about how we feel about
someone or something:
• Much as I enjoyed the holiday, I was glad to be home. (= Although I enjoyed...)

B Even though and even if
We can use even though (but not 'even although') to mean 'despite the fact that' (see also Unit
103) and even if to mean 'whether or not'. Compare:

• Even though Tom doesn't = Despite the fact that he i.e. The speaker knows that
speak Spanish, I think he doesn't speak Spanish Tom doesn't speak Spanish
should still visit Madrid.
• Even if Tom doesn't = Whether or not he speaks i.e. The speaker doesn't
speak Spanish, I think he Spanish know definitely whether
should still visit Madrid. Tom speaks Spanish or not

In spite of and despite
We can use in spite of + -ing with a similar meaning to 'although':
• In spite of playing with ten men, we won easily. (= Although we played with ten men...)
• In spite of being full of water, the boat sailed on. (= Although the boat was full...)
In spite of can also be followed by a noun:
• In spite of their poverty, the children seemed happy. (= Although they were poor...)
oNotice that despite is often used instead of in spite of, particularly in written English:
• • Despite falling / In spite of falling midway through the race, she won.
Despite and in spite of are never followed by a clause with a finite verb. So, for example, you
can't say 'Despite / In spite of she fell midway through the race...'. However, you can use a
clause with a finite verb after the fact that:
• Despite / In spite of the fact that she fell midway through the race, she won.
Even though and even so => Illllllliki