Home English for Developers English for DevelopersAlthough, Whereas and Despite: Build Contrast Structures

Although, Whereas and Despite: Build Contrast Structures

B2-C1 Level

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Review the grammar first

Question 1 of 200 correct so far

Question 1

Complete the sentence using the words in brackets.

Although (the prototype / be / useful; present simple), we need evidence from real users before funding it.

Grammar review

The connector is already chosen. Your job is to build what follows it. Although and whereas introduce clauses with a subject and a verb. Despite takes a noun phrase or an -ing phrase, so you cannot follow it with an ordinary finite clause.

Use every content word supplied, adding the grammatical words you need. Follow any tense label and keep the simple -ing form requested after despite. A named subject may need a different pronoun form, as in despite us waiting. This is practice in clause construction; it does not ask you to choose between several equally natural contrast connectors.

What to check

Although/whereas + subject + finite verb | Despite + noun or simple -ing phrase

1.Although the model was promising, we rejected it.
2.The first plan was quick, whereas the second was safer.
3.Despite costing more, the service suited our needs.

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💡 Tips for Success

•Although and whereas introduce clauses with a subject and a finite verb.
•Despite can introduce a noun phrase or an -ing clause; it does not directly introduce an ordinary finite clause.
•When an -ing clause has its own subject, an object pronoun or a formal possessive may be possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write “despite it is expensive”?

Use “despite it being expensive”, or a clause such as “although it is expensive”. After despite, a finite clause needs an extra noun phrase: “despite the fact that it is expensive”.