“Although” vs. “Despite”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “although” and “despite”

  • "Although" is a conjunction that connects contrasting clauses or sentences, whereas "despite" is a preposition that introduces a noun or noun phrase to indicate a contrasting condition or circumstance.
  • "Although" focuses more on presenting a contrast between two ideas or conditions, whereas "despite" emphasizes the ability to continue or exist regardless of a particular condition, highlighting resilience or persistence.
  • "Although" is used to establish a logical or causal relationship between the contrasting elements, while "despite" highlights the continued existence or occurrence of something in spite of it.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader

What is the definition of “although” and “despite”?

Although
  • "Although" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrasting or contradictory statement, indicating that the following information contrasts with or is unexpected in relation to what has been previously stated.
  • It suggests a concession or acknowledgment of a contradictory fact or condition.
  • "Although" presents a contrast or limitation to the preceding information, highlighting an unexpected or opposing element.
Despite
  • "Despite" is a preposition used to indicate that something occurs or exists regardless of a particular condition, obstacle, or circumstance.
  • It suggests an acknowledgment of a challenging or adverse situation but emphasizes the ability to continue or persist despite it.
  • "Despite" signifies a lack of influence or impact from the mentioned condition, emphasizing resilience or determination in the face of obstacles.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Although” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Although
3,870,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.
  2. Although he was tired, he stayed up late to finish his work.
  3. Although she was afraid of heights, she climbed to the top of the mountain.
Despite
1,970,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Despite the heavy rain, they continued with their outdoor picnic.
  2. She pursued her dreams despite facing numerous obstacles.
  3. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time for his family.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.

Related articles