Clause of Contrast: although and though; even though / if; in spite of and despite
Although and though. We use although or though when we want to say that there is an unexpected contrast
between what happened in the main clause and what happened in the adverbial clause.
After although/though and even though , we use a subject + verb
E.g1. Although it rained a lot, they had a good time.
I didn’t apply for the job although I had the necessary qualifications.
E.g2. She bought a car although/though she was still too young to learn to drive.
or She was still too young to learn to drive, but she bought a car.
After in spite of and despite, we use a noun/Noun phrase/and pronoun (this/that/what etc.) or -ing:
E.g. In spite of the rain, we had a good time.
She wasn’t well, but in spite of this she continued working.
In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you.
I didn’t apply for the job in spite of having the necessary qualifications.
Despite is the same as in spite of. We say in spite of, but despite (without of):
e,g. She wasn’t well, but despite this she continued working. (not despite of this)
You can say ‘in spite of the fact (that) and ‘despite the fact (that) +Subject +verb
E.g. I didn’t apply for the job in spite of the fact (that)/despite the fact (that) I had the necessary qualifications
Compare although and in spite of /despite:
e.g. Although the traffic was bad, we arrived on time.
In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time. (not in spite of the traffic was bad)
I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired.
I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired. (not despite I was tired)
though = although:
e,g. I didn’t apply for the job though I had the necessary qualifications.
In spoken English we often use though at the end of a sentence:
e.g. The house isn’t so nice. I like the garden though. (= but I like the garden)
I see them every day. I’ve never spoken to them though. (= but I’ve never spoken to them)
Even though is similar to although:
E,g, Even though I was really tired, I couldn’t sleep.
Compare the meaning of although and because:
e.g. We went out although it was raining heavily.
We didn’t go out because it was raining heavily
Compare in spite of and because of:
e.g. We went out in spite of the rain. (or … despite the rain.)
We didn’t go out because of the rain.
Complete the sentences with although / in spite of / because / because of.
1. Although it rained a lot, we had a good time.
2. a. _________________ all our careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
b.__________________we’d planned everything carefully, a lot of things went wrong.
3. a. I went home early_______________________ I was feeling unwell.
b. I went to work the next day__________________ I was still feeling unwell.
4. a. Chris only accepted the job the salary, ___________________which was very high.
b. Sam accepted the job the salary,_______________________ which was rather low.
5. a. _________________there was a lot of noise, I slept quite well.
b I couldn’t get to sleep ___________________the noise.
Underline the correct phrase.
1. This shirt is still dirty even though /even if I've washed it twice.
2. Even though /Even if he loses the election, the president will still control foreign policy.
3. They drank from the stream even though / even they knew it was polluted.
4. I'll continue to sing my songs even if / even though I never sell another record.
5. We will go ahead with the project even though/ even if partners pull out.
6. I enjoy going to discos even if / even though I don't like dancing.
7. After Barlow was arrested, his wife and daughters were questioned by the police even though/ even if they knew
nothing about his business affairs.
8. Even if /Even though the building was in perfect condition, it would still be impossible to use it for modern
offices.
can, could and be able to
We use can to say that something is possible or allowed, or that somebody has the ability to do something.
We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.):
e.g. We can see the lake from our hotel.
‘I don’t have a pen.’ ‘You can use mine.’
Can you speak any foreign languages?
I can come and see you tomorrow if you like.
The word ‘dream’ can be a noun or a verb.
The negative is can’t (= cannot): E.g. I’m afraid I can’t come to the party on Friday.
You can say that somebody is able to do something, but can is more usual:
E.g. We are able to see the lake from our hotel.
But can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use (be) able to.
Compare: can’t sleep. I haven’t been able to sleep recently
Tom can come tomorrow. Tom might be able to come tomorrow.
Maria can speak French, Spanish and English. Applicants for the job must be able to speak two foreign languages.
Sometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with:
See hear smell taste feel remember and understand
e.g. We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake.
As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas.
I was sitting at the back of the theatre and couldn’t hear very well.
We also use could to say that somebody had the ability to do something, or was allowed to do something:
e.g. My grandfather could speak five languages.
We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do)
could and was able to
We use could for general ability and with see, hear etc. :
e.g. My grandfather could speak five languages.
I could see them, but not very clearly.
But to say that somebody succeeded in doing something in a specific situation, we normally use was/were able
to or managed to (not could):
e.g. The fire spread quickly, but everybody was able to escape. (not could escape)
I didn’t know where Max was, but I managed to find him in the end. (not could find)
Compare:
e.g. Jack was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody. (= he was good enough
to beat anybody, he had the ability)
but Jack and Andy played a match yesterday. Andy played well, but Jack managed to beat him. (= he succeeded
in beating him this time)
The negative couldn’t (could not) is possible in all situations:
e.g. My grandfather couldn’t swim.
I looked for Max everywhere, but I couldn’t find him.
Andy played well, but he couldn’t beat Jack.
Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. If can is not possible, use (be) able to.
1 Gary has travelled a lot. He can speak five languages.
2 I haven’t been able to sleep very well recently.
3 Nicole ____________drive, but she doesn’t have a car.
4 I used to ______________stand on my head, but I can’t do it any more.
5 I can’t understand Mark. I’ve never________________ understand him.
6 I can’t see you on Friday, but__________________ I meet you on Saturday morning.
7 Ask Katherine about your problem. She might____________________ help you.
8 You have to be careful in this part of the city. It_________________ be dangerous.
9 Michael has lived in Italy a long time, so he should _____________speak Italian.