Portuguese 6.5. “Although” & “Despite”

“Se bem que” conveys the same meaning of “although” or “even though” and is followed by the indicative, for example:

Se bem que eu não queiro comer, irei ao café com você.	Although I don’t want to eat, I will go to the café with you.
Se bem que eu me exercito muito, não emagreço.	Even though I exercise a lot, I don’t lose weight.

Although not very common, “se bem que” is used sometimes in the subjunctive in formal writing only.

On the other hand, “embora,” “mesmo que,” and “ainda que” convey the same meaning but always require the subjunctive, for example:

Embora eu não queira comer, irei ao café com você.	Although I don’t want to eat, I will go to the café with you.
Mesmo que eu me exercite muito, não emagreço.	Although I exercise a lot, I don’t lose weight.

“Apesar de” means “despite” or “in spite of.” It can be used in one of three formulas:

1. Apesar de + Infinitive, for example:

Apesar de estar cansado, quero sair com meus amigos.

In spite of being tired, I want to go out with my friends.

2. Apesar de + Noun, for example:

Apesar dos avisos, Ana continua fumando.

Despite the warnings, Ana continues to smoke.

3. Apesar de que + Indicative Tense, for example:

Apesar de que estou triste, vou comemorar meu aniversário.

Despite the fact that I am sad, I will celebrate my birthday.

Next: Reflexive Passive & Impersonal “Se”

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