B1+Conjunctions and clauses

Clauses of contrast and purpose

Use although/even though, despite/in spite of, whereas/while and a range of purpose structures with correct clause or noun patterns.

Overview

What this grammar does

Use although/even though, despite/in spite of, whereas/while and a range of purpose structures with correct clause or noun patterns.

Form and rules

How it works

Although/even though + clause expresses concession; even though is usually stronger.

Despite/in spite of + noun/-ing contrasts a fact with an unexpected result; use the fact that before a full clause.

Whereas/while can contrast two different facts or people directly.

Purpose with the same subject can use to/in order to/so as to; negative purpose uses in order not to/so as not to.

So that + clause is useful when the purpose clause has a different subject or includes can/could/will/would.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Purpose with the same subject can use to/in order to/so as to; negative purpose uses in order not to/so as not to.

So that + clause is useful when the purpose clause has a different subject or includes can/could/will/would.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

Even though the deadline was tight, we finished.

Despite working late, she remained calm.

I prefer email, whereas he prefers calls.

We left early so as not to miss the train.

I sent a map so that everyone could find the venue.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Although being exhausted, she stayed until the end.

Despite being exhausted, she stayed until the end.

Despite is followed by a noun or -ing form.

In spite he was exhausted, he stayed until the end.

Although he was exhausted, he stayed until the end.

Although is followed by a full clause.

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.

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