Although - despite

Although/even though and despite/in spite of are used
to combine or link two contrasting statements.

• Although/even though are followed by a subject and a verb :
  • Although/even though it was raining, he walked to the station.
  • Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
• Despite/in spite of are followed by a noun, a pronoun or a verb ending in -ing.
  • Despite/in spite of the rain he walked to the station.
  • He noticed the rain but he walked to the station in spite of it.
  • Despite being wet and tired, he walked to the station.
• Despite/in spite of have the same meaning, but despite is used without 'of'.

---

Example : He had enough money. He refused to buy a new car.

The above two statements can be combined as follows :

• Although/even though he had enough money, he refused to buy a new car.
• Despite/in spite of having enough money he refused to buy a new car.
• He had enough money, but despite/in spite of that he refused to buy a new car.