Summary of "Transformation of Sentences | ICSE & ISC Grammar | Rules | Boards 2026"

Topic and speaker

Video: “Transformation of Sentences | ICSE & ISC Grammar | Rules | Boards 2026”
Speaker: Arin Takar (RN Tutorials)

Overview

This lesson explains how to transform sentences that use the coordinating conjunction “but” into equivalent sentences using:

although / though
in spite of / despite (and the fuller form “despite the fact that”)

It also covers punctuation, combination rules, and common errors to avoid.

Key rules

When a subordinate clause beginning with although/though or in spite of/despite comes first, put a comma before the main clause. Example: Although he was injured, he continued the game.
Do not keep the coordinating conjunction “but” (or “still”) together with although/though—remove “but” when using although/though.
“In spite” must always be written as “in spite of” (the “of” is mandatory).
“Despite” is used without “of” (not “despite of”).
After “in spite of” or “despite” use:
- a noun or gerund (e.g., in spite of receiving, despite trying); or
- “being” + adjective/past participle when the original clause uses a form of “be” (is/are/was/were), e.g., in spite of being injured.
You can also use the fuller clause form: despite the fact that + full clause.
Avoid redundancy: do not pair “yet” or “but” with although/though or with despite/in spite of. (The instructor notes that “yet” can sometimes appear with “though,” but it is not normally used with “although”; using both is generally unnecessary.)

Step-by-step method to transform “A but B”

Identify the two clauses:
- Clause A (before “but”)
- Clause B (after “but”)
Choose the target structure:
- For although/though: Place Although/Though + Clause A, Clause B. Remove “but”.
- For in spite of / despite:
  - If Clause A is a full clause with a verb other than a “be” form, convert it into a noun/gerund phrase: in spite of/despite + [verb-ing/noun].
  - If Clause A uses a form of “be” (is/are/was/were), convert to: in spite of/despite + being + adjective/past participle (e.g., being injured).
  - Or use: despite the fact that + full Clause A.
Add a comma after the initial subordinate clause when you front the although/though or in spite of/despite phrase.
Remove “but” or “still” from the sentence when using although/though; do not use “despite of”.
Check for redundancy — avoid adding “yet” or “but” unnecessarily with these subordinators.

Examples

1) Original: He was injured but continued the game. - Although he was injured, he continued the game. - Though he was injured, he continued the game. - In spite of being injured, he continued the game. - Despite being injured, he continued the game. - Despite the fact that he was injured, he continued the game. - (Note: “Though he was injured, yet he continued the game” is grammatically possible but redundant.)

2) Original: She tried her best but failed to qualify. - Although she tried her best, she failed to qualify. - Though she tried her best, she failed to qualify. - In spite of trying her best, she failed to qualify. - Despite trying her best, she failed to qualify. - Despite the fact that she tried her best, she failed to qualify.

3) Original: The book received good reviews but it didn’t sell well. - Although the book received good reviews, it didn’t sell well. - Though the book received good reviews, it didn’t sell well. - In spite of receiving good reviews, the book didn’t sell well. - Despite receiving good reviews, the book didn’t sell well. - Despite the fact that the book received good reviews, it didn’t sell well.

4) Original: The phone is expensive but it lacks features. - Although the phone is expensive, it lacks features. - In spite of being expensive, the phone lacks features. - Despite being expensive, the phone lacks features. - Despite the fact that the phone is expensive, it lacks features.

Common mistakes to avoid

Writing “in spite” without “of” (incorrect: “in spite receiving…”).
Using “but” or “still” alongside although/though (redundant/incorrect).
Using “despite of” (incorrect).
Failing to change the clause shape correctly — use gerunds for actions (trying, receiving) and “being” for states expressed with forms of “be.”