Writing sentences with the words…

although and despite

What do these words mean?

Despite and although both show that the next idea in the sentence doesn’t fit with the first.

Let’s look at an example

The cicada looks scary.

It is harmless.These ideas

contradict each other. They do not go together.

We can combine these ideas.

Although the cicada looks scary, it is harmless.

We can combine these ideas.

Although the cicada looks scary, it is harmless.

Although is at the beginning of the sentence.

A comma follows the clause (subject + verb)

Let’s try another.

The baby bird was small.

It had a very loud voice.

Remember to start the sentence with although.

Where does the comma go?

Here it is!

Although the baby bird was small, it had a very loud voice.

One more to try.

Poison ivy looks like an ordinary plant.

It causes an itchy rash.

One more to try.

Although poison ivy looks like a regular plant, it causes an itchy rash.

Let’s look at despite.

Despite is usually used with a single word or phrase instead of a whole clause (subject + verb).

Let’s look at despite.

There was a flood.

The bridge was not damaged.

Here is an example.

Despite the flood, the bridge was not damaged.

Try to combine these ideas.

There was a drought.

The farmer had a good onion harvest.

Here it is!

Despite the drought, the farmer had a good onion harvest.

Try this one.

The pool was small.

The kids had fun.

Here is one possibility…

Despite the pool’s small size, the kids had fun.

Or…

Despite the small pool, the kids had fun.

Try to combine these ideas.

Stinkbugs are small.

They cause lots of problems.

Use although or despite.

One way:

Although stinkbugs are small, they cause lots of problems.

Another way:

Despite their small size, stinkbugs cause lots of problems.

Create your own sentence!

Use although or despite.

Sharing sentences

-Does the sentence have a comma?

-Is the word although or despite used correctly?

What’s wrong?

Although the snow, we had a picnic.

A clause (subject + verb) needs to follow the word although. How could we fix this sentence?

One fix

Although it snowed, we had a picnic.

Another fix

Despite the snow, we had a picnic.

Create your own sentence!

Use although or despite.

-Does the sentence have a comma?

-Is the word although or despite used correctly?

Sharing sentences

What have you learned?

What have you learned about using the words although and despite?