FluencyLab
GrammarHub
Link ideas with although/even though, despite/in spite of, because/because of and purpose structures such as to and so that.
Overview
Link ideas with although/even though, despite/in spite of, because/because of and purpose structures such as to and so that.
Form and rules
Although/even though + clause expresses contrast; even though is often stronger.
Despite/in spite of + noun or -ing expresses contrast; use despite the fact that + clause if needed.
Because + clause gives a reason; because of + noun/-ing gives a reason phrase.
Use to/in order to/so as to + base verb when the subject of the purpose is the same.
Use so that + clause when you need an explicit subject or modal in the purpose clause.
A closer look
Use to/in order to/so as to + base verb when the subject of the purpose is the same.
Use so that + clause when you need an explicit subject or modal in the purpose clause.
Examples
Although it was raining, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out.
We stayed home because the roads were icy.
I left early to catch the train.
I wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget.
Common mistakes
Although is followed by a clause.
Despite is followed by a noun phrase.
Ready to practise?
The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.