After although we use a subject + verb: • Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday. • I didn't get the job although I had all the necessary qualifications. After in spite of or despite, we use a noun, a pronoun (this/that/what etc.) or -ing: • In spite of the rain, we enjoyed our holiday. • I didn't get the job in spite of having all the necessary qualifications. • She wasn't well, but in spite of this she went to work. • In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you. Despite is the same as in spite of. Note that we say 'in spite of, but despite (without 'of'): • She wasn't well, but despite this she went to work, (not 'despite of this') You can say 'in spite of the fact (that)...' and 'despite the fact (that)...': I didn’t get the job in spite of the fact that I had all the necessary qualifications I didn’t get the job despite the fact (that) I had all the necessary qualifications. Compare although and in spite of / despite: • Although the traffic was bad. I arrived on time, (not in spite or the traffic was bad (not in spite or the traffic was bad) In spite of the traffic, I arrived on time (not in spite or the traffic was bad) I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired (not despite I was tired) I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired (not despite I was tired)