Ch 42 · Lesson 10Spanish · Chapter 42 · Lesson 10 · Grammar primer
Aunque and a pesar de: even though, even if, despite
(even though it is raining) against (even if it rains), and a + noun or infinitive, a + clause, a. Plus the mistakes.
The short version
, .
Why?Hide
plus the indicative states a fact and means although: , , and it really is raining. plus the subjunctive a possibility and means even if: , , it may or may not. The verb carries the whole difference, so getting it wrong reverses what you said.
Despite is a , with
, .
Why?Hide
A takes a noun or an infinitive: a , a . Only a whole clause needs : a . And never drop the : a is not standard.
Even though and even if: aunque
is one word for two English ideas. The mood of the verb after it decides which:
| Aunque + | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | , . | Even though it's raining, I'm going out. |
| subjunctive | , . | Even if it rains, I'm going out. |
The indicative states a fact you accept; the subjunctive allows a possibility. The subjunctive can also brush aside a fact as beside the point:
, .- It may be dear, but I'm buying it.
The full story is on the subjunctive in adverbial clauses.
English "though" at the end of a sentence has no floating equivalent. Use :
; , .- It's pretty; it's dear, though.
Despite: a pesar de, pese a
A is a preposition, so it takes a noun or an infinitive. A whole clause needs :
| Then | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| a noun | , . | Despite the rain, we went out. |
| an infinitive | , . | Despite being tired, he carried on. |
| a clause | , . | Although it was raining, we went out. |
a works the same way, a shade more formal:
, .- Despite the crisis, the company is growing.
To point back at a whole sentence, use a or a : despite that. More compound prepositions are on Spanish compound prepositions.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| , sin | ; , | needs a semicolon or a full stop |
| a | | a keeps its |
| no before a noun | |
| (if) | | a possibility: subjunctive |
| No ; | ; | correcting takes |
Going further: Connectors at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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