General SC grammar questions

[gmatwork]

Hi

I have a few questions -

a) Despite, Although, Though, However - Can anyone please explain me the difference between these terms and difference in the grammatical usage for these terms?

I have notice a couple questions in which the construct is something like -

Despite protests from companies, the government passed the bill.

" Despite protests from companies" - Is this subordinate clause or modifier as used in the above sentence?

Is the word despite a coordinating conjunction (like but, and, for,etc) ?

Please explain the rules for using despite?

b) Usage of "while"

When do we use "while"?


Can someone please answer these questions?

[jnelson0612]

My answers are below in blue.

Hi

I have a few questions -

a) Despite, Although, Though, However - Can anyone please explain me the difference between these terms and difference in the grammatical usage for these terms?

All of these words have to do with some sort of a surprising outcome given the actions that led up to the outcome. For example:

Despite not studying at all, I aced the GMAT.
Although I did not study at all, I aced the GMAT.
Though I did not study at all, I aced the GMAT. OR
I aced the GMAT though I did not study at all.
I did not study at all; however, I aced the GMAT.


I have notice a couple questions in which the construct is something like -

Despite protests from companies, the government passed the bill.

" Despite protests from companies" - Is this subordinate clause or modifier as used in the above sentence?

This can't be a clause because a clause has a noun and a tensed verb. We have no verb here.

Is the word despite a coordinating conjunction (like but, and, for,etc) ?
No. The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Please explain the rules for using despite?
see above

b) Usage of "while"

When do we use "while"?
Generally two times:
1) when we mean "at the same time"
For example: I painted the house while my brother swept the driveway.
2) (this is more controversial) when it stands in for "although"
For example: While I studied a lot, I did not do well on the test.


Can someone please answer these questions?