After although we use a subject + verb:

• Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.

• I didn't get the job although I had all the necessary qualifications.

Compare the meaning of although and because:

• We went out although it was raining.

• We didn't go out because it was raining.

After in spite of or despite, we use a noun, a pronoun (this/that/what etc.) or -ing:

• In spite of the rain, we enjoyed our holiday.

• I didn't get the job in spite of having all the necessary qualifications.

• She wasn't well, but in spite of this she went to work.

• In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you.

Despite is the same as in spite of. Note that we say 'in spite of, but despite (without 'of'):

• She wasn't well, but despite this she went to work, (not 'despite of this')

You can say 'in spite of the fact (that)...' and 'despite the fact (that)...':

I didn’t get the job in spite of the fact that I had all the necessary qualifications

I didn’t get the job despite the fact (that) I had all the necessary qualifications.

Compare in spite of and because of:

• We went out in spite of the rain, (or ...despite the rain.)

• We didn't go out because of the rain.

Compare although and in spite of / despite:

• Although the traffic was bad. I arrived on time, (not in spite or the traffic was bad (not in spite or the traffic was bad)

In spite of the traffic, I arrived on time (not in spite or the traffic was bad)

I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired (not despite I was tired)

I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired (not despite I was tired)

Complete the sentences with although / in spite of / because / because of.

Intermediate
English exercise "Although / in spite of / despite" created by felin (22-12-2005) with The test builder
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1. a) although because because of in spite of it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
2. a) although because because of in spite of all our careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
3. b) although because because of in spite of we had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
4. a) I went home early although because because of in spite of I was feeling unwell.
5. b) I went to work the next day although because because of in spite of I was still feeling unwell.
6. a) She only accepted the job although because because of in spite of the salary, which was very high.
7. b) She accepted the job although because because of in spite of the salary, which was rather low.
8. a) I managed to get to sleep although because because of in spite of there was a lot of noise.
9. b) I couldn't get to sleep although because because of in spite of the noise.