EXPRESSING CONTRASTS

There are many ways in English of joining two contrasting ideas together. But each one has its own particular set of rules.
Take these two ideas:
It rained.
We played tennis.
But
It rained but we played tennis.
Although
This can come at the beginning or in the middle of one sentence.
Although it rained, we played tennis.
We played tennis although it rained.
Though
Though is used exactly as although is used.
Though it rained, we played tennis.
We played tennis though it rained.
Or it can be used like However but at the end of a second sentence.
It rained. We played tennis, though.
Even Though
Even though is used exactly as although is used.
Even though it rained, we played tennis.
We played tennis even though it rained.
However
However is used at the start of a second sentence.
It rained. However, we played tennis.
Nevertheless
Nevertheless is used exactly as however is used.
It rained. Nevertheless, we played tennis.
Despite
We can use despite with a noun following, a gerund (-ing verb) or the expression "despite the fact that".
Despite the rain, we played tennis.
Despite  raining, we played tennis.
Despite the fact that it rained, we played tennis.
In spite of
In spite of is used exactly as despite is used.
In spite of the rain, we played tennis.
In spite of raining, we played tennis.
In spite of the fact that it rained, we played tennis.