Despite vs. In Spite of: A Guide to Correct Grammar • 7ESL

Understanding the difference between “despite” and “in spite of” can be tricky for English learners. This reference will explain these differences clearly, covering their definitions, usage, and placement in sentences. It also includes practical tips to help you remember the distinctions.

Contents

The Difference Between Despite and In Spite Of

Despite vs. In Spite of: Key Takeaways

Despite and in spite of are synonymous and interchangeable.
Despite is slightly more formal and more common in written English.
Both are used to introduce a contrast to the main clause.

Despite vs. In Spite of: The Definition

Despite and in spite of are both used to show contrast or opposition between two ideas, but they are slightly different in their form and use. Here’s how to use them correctly:

What Does Despite Mean?

Despite is a preposition that is used to indicate that something is happening or is true, without being affected by a particular factor or condition. It is often used to express a contrast between two things, highlighting that one thing is happening despite the presence of another.

For example, “Despite feeling tired, she managed to finish the project on time.” In this sentence, “despite” emphasizes that the person completed the project even though they were tired.

What Does In Spite Of Mean?

In spite of is a phrase used to indicate that an action or circumstance occurs despite another action, circumstance, or obstacle. It conveys the idea of something happening regardless of a particular factor. It is often used to show contrast or to emphasize the persistence or resilience in the face of challenges.

For example, “In spite of the heavy rain, the team continued with their outdoor practice” indicates that the team persisted with their practice despite the challenging weather conditions.

“In spite of” can also be used interchangeably with “despite,” but its formality makes it a less common choice in today’s writing.

For instance:

She was cheerful, in spite of the bad weather.

Despite vs. In Spite of: Usage and Placement in Sentences

When using “despite” and “in spite of,” both phrases can be used interchangeably to indicate contrast or unexpected outcomes, they are typically followed by a noun, pronoun, or the –ing form of a verb. The choice between “despite” and “in spite of” often depends on the author’s preference or the formality of the context.

Example:

Despite the challenges, the team persevered and achieved success.
In spite of the delay, the event was a success.

Tips to Remember the Differences

Use “despite” in more formal writing or when you prefer a one-word preposition.
Opt for “in spite of” in a less formal setting or conversational tone.
Remember, structurally and in meaning, both are equivalent and can typically replace each other in sentences.

Common Mistakes with “Despite” vs. “In Spite of”

Using “despite of” instead of “despite”:

Incorrect: “He succeeded despite of the difficulties.”
Correct: “He succeeded despite the difficulties.”
Explanation: “Despite” is not used with “of.” It is a preposition on its own and does not need “of” after it.

Adding a full clause after “despite” or “in spite of”:

Incorrect: “Despite it was raining, they played the match.”
Correct: “Despite the rain, they played the match.”
Explanation: “Despite” and “in spite of” are followed by a noun or gerund, not a full clause. To use a full clause, you would need “although” or “even though.”

Using “in despite of” instead of “in spite of”:

Incorrect: “They went ahead with the plan in despite of the risks.”
Correct: “They went ahead with the plan in spite of the risks.”
Explanation: “In despite of” is incorrect; the correct phrase is “in spite of.”

Example Sentences Using Despite

Despite the bad weather, we decided to proceed with the outdoor event.
She achieved top results despite having less time to prepare than her peers.
The team played brilliantly despite the absence of their star player.
Despite the economic downturn, the company still posted a profit this quarter.
Despite the heavy traffic, they arrived at the airport on time.
She went for a run despite feeling unwell.

Example Sentences Using In Spite of

In spite of the rain, the parade continued as planned.
He maintained a positive attitude in spite of the challenges he faced.
In spite of her fears, she delivered an excellent public speech.
They went hiking in spite of the forecast for storms.
She decided to go for a walk, in spite of the blister on her foot.
In spite of the rain, the outdoor event continued as planned.

Related Confused Words

Despite vs. Although

Despite and Although are both used to introduce contrasting ideas, but they are used differently in a sentence.

Despite is followed by a noun, pronoun, or the -ing form of a verb, while Although is followed by a subject and a verb.

For example:

Despite the rain, we went for a walk
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

In Spite of vs. Though

In Spite Of and Though are both used to introduce contrasting ideas, but they are used differently in a sentence.

In Spite Of is followed by a noun, pronoun, or the -ing form of a verb, while Though is followed by a subject and a verb.

For example:

In spite of the heavy traffic, we arrived at the airport on time.
Though it was snowing, they decided to go for a hike in the mountains.

Here is how you should use them differently from despite and in spite of:

Word/Phrase	Function	Example Sentence
Despite/In spite of	Preposition	Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
Although/Though	Conjunction	Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

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