Olá bom dia
I came across this phrase this morning
“apesar de poder haver lojas que encerram”
I could guess the meaning but I wouldn’t have used that construction, I’ve only learned apesar de as being ‘despite’ and my translator gives ‘although’ as the translation in this particular sentence, which makes perfect sense in the sentence, I just wasn’t aware that apesar de could be used this way?
I would have sai something like 'mas pode ser que há lojas que ficam fechadas ', which is probably a much clumsier construction!
Are ther any other examples of using apesar de in this way that you could give me?
Cheers, Teri
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@terikind, yes, apesar de can be translated as despite, although, even though or similar, and it’s used accordingly in each context 
Note how, depending on the use, it’s paired with either a noun/noun phrase or with a verb in the infinitive form (main verb, if alone, or auxiliary verb, if a verb phrase). Some extra examples:
- Apesar do frio, fomos para a rua. (Despite the cold, we went outside)
- Apesar de estar frio, fomos para a rua (Although it was cold, we went outside) → Main verb of the first clause is in the infinitive. It’s the second clause that establishes the past tense.
- Apesar da duração, gostámos do espetáculo. (In spite of the duration, we liked the show)
- Apesar de ter sido longo, gostámos do espetáculo. (Even though it was long, we liked the show) → -> Auxiliary verb of the first clause is in the infinitive, but the main verb’s past participle establishes the past tense along with the second clause.
- Apesar de tu seres direto, não és rude. (Although you are direct, you’re not rude) → Main verb of the first clause is in the personal infinitive.
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