Despite vs even though

Expert replies

reply2spg: Legendary Member; Posts: 1261; Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am; Thanked: 27 times; GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Tue Sep 28, 2010 4:16 pm

Below is really simple sentence, but it is giving me a bit trouble. I am posting this question to clear some of my doubts. Doubts are as follows,

1. Despite + noun/noun phrase is correct. In the below sentence 'scientists' is noun, [spoiler]then also why A is wrong?[/spoiler]

2. Despite/even though/though shows contrast, [spoiler]then why A is wrong and C is correct?[/spoiler]

3. A and C differ only by one word then why A is wrong and C is correct

Please clear the doubts. Thanks in advance

Despite scientists may agree that global warming is a key issue and that something should be done to slow or stop global warming, they have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation

Despite scientists may agree that
However much scientists may agree
Even though scientists may agree that
Agreement exists among scientists that
Although scientists agree

OA C

Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Tue Sep 28, 2010 4:16 pm

hitmis: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 104; Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:32 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Mumbai; Thanked: 7 times; GMAT Score:680

by hitmis » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:26 pm

Am not a english grammar expert but my 2 cents... 'Despite X may agree' does not sound good to the ear.
'Despite X agreeing to...' would sound good. I think the problem with A is not Despite + noun, its about the form of the verb used.

regards

https://footprintsilived.blocked/

karanrulz4ever: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 358; Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:47 amFollowed by: 4 members; Location: Mumbai; Thanked: 34 times; GMAT Score:740

by karanrulz4ever » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:37 pm

Despite is generally used when an success is to be highlighted after overcoming an obstacle.
Eg: Despite having a sore ankle, David won the 100 m sprint.

In the sentence presented,there is no obstacle as such.Hence "Even though" better suits the purpose here.

mundasingh123: Legendary Member; Posts: 2330; Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:14 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 56 times

by mundasingh123 » Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:59 am

hitmis wrote:Am not a english grammar expert but my 2 cents... 'Despite X may agree' does not sound good to the ear.
'Despite X agreeing to...' would sound good. I think the problem with A is not Despite + noun, its about the form of the verb used.

Whats right

Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

hitmis: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 104; Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:32 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Mumbai; Thanked: 7 times; GMAT Score:680

by hitmis » Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:32 am

mundasingh123 wrote:
hitmis wrote:Am not a english grammar expert but my 2 cents... 'Despite X may agree' does not sound good to the ear.
'Despite X agreeing to...' would sound good. I think the problem with A is not Despite + noun, its about the form of the verb used.
Whats right
Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

Given a choice with 'him' and 'his' in this phrase, Despite his agreeing to the solution... would be right, in my opinion.
But if you replace a name, in my opinion, the below would be right.
Despite Sunil agreeing to his customer's demands, the customers were not happy.

Caution, this is my take on it.

regards

https://footprintsilived.blocked/

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:24 am

reply2spg wrote:Below is really simple sentence, but it is giving me a bit trouble. I am posting this question to clear some of my doubts. Doubts are as follows,

1. Despite + noun/noun phrase is correct. In the below sentence 'scientists' is noun, [spoiler]then also why A is wrong?[/spoiler]

2. Despite/even though/though shows contrast, [spoiler]then why A is wrong and C is correct?[/spoiler]

3. A and C differ only by one word then why A is wrong and C is correct

Please clear the doubts. Thanks in advance

Despite scientists may agree that global warming is a key issue and that something should be done to slow or stop global warming, they have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Despite scientists may agree that
However much scientists may agree
Even though scientists may agree that
Agreement exists among scientists that
Although scientists agree

OA C

Quickest approach:

The pronoun that is needed in order to ensure parallelism:

...scientists may agree that global warming is an issue and that something should be done...

Eliminate B and E.

In the idiom despite X, X must be a noun. In A, scientists may agree is not a noun but a clause. Eliminate A. Answer choice A would be grammatically correct if it said:

Despite the fact that scientists may agree...(fact = noun, that scientists may agree = modifier of the noun fact)

Eliminate A.

Answer choice D has a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are joined by a comma. If a comma in an answer choice can be replaced by a period, eliminate the answer choice. In D, the comma can be replaced by a period:

Agreement might exist among scientists that global warming is a key issue. They have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Eliminate D. The correct answer is C.

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mundasingh123: Legendary Member; Posts: 2330; Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:14 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 56 times

by mundasingh123 » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:24 pm

GMATGuruNY wrote:
reply2spg wrote:Below is really simple sentence, but it is giving me a bit trouble. I am posting this question to clear some of my doubts. Doubts are as follows,

1. Despite + noun/noun phrase is correct. In the below sentence 'scientists' is noun, [spoiler]then also why A is wrong?[/spoiler]

2. Despite/even though/though shows contrast, [spoiler]then why A is wrong and C is correct?[/spoiler]

3. A and C differ only by one word then why A is wrong and C is correct

Please clear the doubts. Thanks in advance

Despite scientists may agree that global warming is a key issue and that something should be done to slow or stop global warming, they have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Despite scientists may agree that
However much scientists may agree
Even though scientists may agree that
Agreement exists among scientists that
Although scientists agree

OA C
Quickest approach:

The pronoun that is needed in order to ensure parallelism:

...scientists may agree that global warming is an issue and that something should be done...

Eliminate B and E.

In the idiom despite X, X must be a noun. In A, scientists may agree is not a noun but a clause. Eliminate A. Answer choice A would be grammatically correct if it said:

Despite the fact that scientists may agree...(fact = noun, that scientists may agree = modifier of the noun fact)

Eliminate A.

Answer choice D has a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are joined by a comma. If a comma in an answer choice can be replaced by a period, eliminate the answer choice. In D, the comma can be replaced by a period:

Agreement might exist among scientists that global warming is a key issue. They have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Eliminate D. The correct answer is C.

Mitch,does this mean the following 2 sentences are wrong
Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

reply2spg: Legendary Member; Posts: 1261; Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am; Thanked: 27 times; GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:26 pm

I think yes, since both of them clauses and not nouns.

mundasingh123 wrote: Mitch,does this mean the following 2 sentences are wrong
Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

Sudhanshu
(have lot of things to learn from all of you)

mundasingh123: Legendary Member; Posts: 2330; Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:14 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 56 times

by mundasingh123 » Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:52 am

mundasingh123 wrote:
GMATGuruNY wrote:
reply2spg wrote:Below is really simple sentence, but it is giving me a bit trouble. I am posting this question to clear some of my doubts. Doubts are as follows,

1. Despite + noun/noun phrase is correct. In the below sentence 'scientists' is noun, [spoiler]then also why A is wrong?[/spoiler]

2. Despite/even though/though shows contrast, [spoiler]then why A is wrong and C is correct?[/spoiler]

3. A and C differ only by one word then why A is wrong and C is correct

Please clear the doubts. Thanks in advance

Despite scientists may agree that global warming is a key issue and that something should be done to slow or stop global warming, they have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Despite scientists may agree that
However much scientists may agree
Even though scientists may agree that
Agreement exists among scientists that
Although scientists agree

OA C
Quickest approach:

The pronoun that is needed in order to ensure parallelism:

...scientists may agree that global warming is an issue and that something should be done...

Eliminate B and E.

In the idiom despite X, X must be a noun. In A, scientists may agree is not a noun but a clause. Eliminate A. Answer choice A would be grammatically correct if it said:

Despite the fact that scientists may agree...(fact = noun, that scientists may agree = modifier of the noun fact)

Eliminate A.

Answer choice D has a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are joined by a comma. If a comma in an answer choice can be replaced by a period, eliminate the answer choice. In D, the comma can be replaced by a period:

Agreement might exist among scientists that global warming is a key issue. They have not been able to agree upon the best course of action to improve the situation.

Eliminate D. The correct answer is C.
Mitch,does this mean the following 2 sentences are wrong
Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

Is it the same case for inspite?

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:18 am

mundasingh123 wrote: Mitch,does this mean the following 2 sentences are wrong
Despite him agreeing to the solution
Despite his agreeing to the solution

Incorrect: Despite him agreeing to the solution...

The version above conveys the wrong meaning. The rest of the sentence is happening not despite him but despite the act of agreeing.

Correct: Despite his agreeing to the solution...

The version above correctly conveys that the rest of the sentence is happening despite his agreeing (gerund = noun).

However, a more active wording would be better:

Even though he agreed to the solution...

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