"Despite" is followed by a noun; "although" introduces a full clause with subject and verb.
Preposition. Introduces a contrast or concession. Always followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing). Can never precede a clause with a conjugated verb.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
A pesar de la lluvia, salimos a caminar.
She passed the exam despite studying very little.
Ella paso el examen a pesar de estudiar muy poco.
Despite his fear, he jumped.
A pesar de su miedo, el salto.
Conjunction. Introduces a contrast or concession clause. What follows always has a subject and conjugated verb. Synonyms: though, even though.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
Aunque estaba lloviendo, salimos a caminar.
She passed the exam although she had studied very little.
Ella paso el examen aunque habia estudiado muy poco.
Although he was afraid, he jumped.
Aunque tenia miedo, el salto.
Common mistake
Very common error: "Despite it was raining..." Wrong. "Despite" cannot precede a clause with a conjugated verb. Correct: "Despite the rain..." (noun) or "Although it was raining..." (clause). Another error: "Although the rain, we went..." Wrong. "Although" needs a full clause: "Although it was raining..."
Trick to remember it
Same trick as because/because of: look at what comes after. Conjugated verb? Use "although". Only a noun or gerund? Use "despite". Despite + [noun/-ing]. Although + [subject + verb].
Quick rule
Despite + noun or gerund. Although + clause (subject + verb).
Did you know?
"In spite of" is an exact synonym of "despite" and follows the same rules: always with a noun or gerund. "Even though" is more emphatic than "although" but works the same way. And "though" at the end of a sentence has a special colloquial use: "It was cold. Fun, though." (brief end-of-sentence concession).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
_____ the cold weather, the children played outside all afternoon.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
_____ she was exhausted, she kept working until midnight.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Despite + noun or gerund. Although + clause (subject + verb).
Very common error: "Despite it was raining..." Wrong. "Despite" cannot precede a clause with a conjugated verb. Correct: "Despite the rain..." (noun) or "Although it was raining..." (clause). Another error: "Although the rain, we went..." Wrong. "Although" needs a full clause: "Although it was raining..."
Same trick as because/because of: look at what comes after. Conjugated verb? Use "although". Only a noun or gerund? Use "despite". Despite + [noun/-ing]. Although + [subject + verb].
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy