B1 Confusable-words 11 min read Medium

Despite vs. In-spite-of: What's the Difference?

They're identical twins that mean 'but anyway'. Just never, ever say 'despite of'.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'despite' or 'in spite of' to show a surprising contrast, but never put 'of' after 'despite'.

  • Rule 1: Use 'Despite' + Noun/Gerund. Example: 'Despite the rain, we went out.'
  • Rule 2: Use 'In spite of' + Noun/Gerund. Example: 'In spite of the rain, we went out.'
  • Rule 3: Never say 'Despite of'. It is always just 'Despite' alone.
Despite / In spite of + 🧩 (Noun) / 🏃‍♂️-ing (Gerund) = 😮 (Surprise)

Overview

In the landscape of English grammar, concession is the concept of acknowledging one point while asserting another that seems to contradict it. Among the most crucial tools for expressing concession are the prepositions despite and in spite of. At their core, these two expressions are perfect synonyms; they carry the exact same meaning and can be used interchangeably in any grammatical context.

Both are used to introduce a fact that makes the main part of the sentence surprising.

  • The team won the match despite having two injured players.
  • The team won the match in spite of having two injured players.

As you can see, the outcome (winning the match) is unexpected given the circumstance (two injured players). The only functional difference between them lies in their form: despite is a single word, while in spite of is a three-word phrase. This distinction, along with their shared classification as prepositions, is the key to mastering their usage.

Because they are prepositions, a specific set of grammatical rules governs what can follow them. Understanding this single principle is the foundation for using them correctly and confidently in both formal and informal situations. While their meaning is identical, despite is often preferred in formal writing for its conciseness.

How This Grammar Works

The fundamental rule to remember is that despite and in spite of are prepositions. In English grammar, a preposition’s job is to show a relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence. This means that, by definition, a preposition must be followed by a noun or a noun-equivalent.
It can never be directly followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb in its finite form (e.g., he went, she is).
This is the “why” behind the rule. The preposition needs an object to connect to the rest of the sentence. Let's break down the types of grammatical objects that can correctly follow despite and in spite of.
  1. 1A Noun or Noun Phrase: This is the most straightforward usage. The noun phrase represents the obstacle or contrasting element.
  • We enjoyed the festival despite the terrible weather.
  • He remained humble in spite of his immense success.
  1. 1A Gerund (-ing Verb Form): A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing but functions as a noun. This makes it a perfectly valid object for a preposition. This is an extremely common and useful pattern.
  • Despite feeling exhausted, she continued to work.
  • He passed the driving test in spite of making several small errors.
  1. 1A Pronoun: Simple pronouns like this, that, all, or what can also serve as the object.
  • She knew she had to leave. Despite this, she found it hard to say goodbye.
  • The project was a failure, and he had to accept his responsibility in spite of it all.
So, what happens when the contrasting idea you want to express requires a full clause with a subject and verb? You cannot say, for example, *despite he was ill. To solve this, you must use the bridging phrase the fact that.
The word fact is a noun, which satisfies the preposition's need for a noun object. The subsequent that-clause simply explains what the fact is.
  • Correct: They went ahead with the merger despite the fact that the board advised against it.
  • Incorrect: They went ahead with the merger despite the board advised against it.
This structure, despite/in spite of + the fact that + clause, is your grammatically sound tool for connecting these prepositions to a full subject-verb statement. It is formal and can feel slightly wordy, but it is always correct.

Formation Pattern

1
To apply this grammar consistently, it is helpful to memorize the structural patterns. The clause containing despite or in spite of can appear either at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. When it comes at the beginning, it must be followed by a comma.
2
We can separate the patterns into two main structures: the basic form (using a noun or gerund) and the advanced form for clauses (using the fact that).
3
Structure 1: With a Noun, Noun Phrase, or Gerund
4
| Position | Pattern | Example |
5
|---|---|---|
6
| Initial | Despite / In spite of + Noun Phrase / Gerund, Main Clause. | In spite of the delay, we arrived before the movie started. |
7
| Initial | Despite / In spite of + Noun Phrase / Gerund, Main Clause. | Despite being the underdog, the team played with incredible spirit. |
8
| Middle | Main Clause + despite / in spite of + Noun Phrase / Gerund. | The company is profitable despite a challenging economic climate. |
9
| Middle | Main Clause + despite / in spite of + Noun Phrase / Gerund. | I love this city in spite of its noisy traffic. |
10
Structure 2: With a Full Clause (Subject + Verb)
11
This structure relies on the formal phrase the fact that to act as the noun object for the preposition.
12
| Position | Pattern | Example |
13
|---|---|---|
14
| Initial | Despite / In spite of + the fact that + S + V, Main Clause. | Despite the fact that he had never coded before, he built a functional website. |
15
| Initial | Despite / In spite of + the fact that + S + V, Main Clause. | In spite of the fact that the instructions were unclear, she assembled the furniture perfectly. |
16
| Middle | Main Clause + despite / in spite of + the fact that + S + V. | We decided to trust him despite the fact that he had lied to us in the past. |
17
| Middle | Main Clause + despite / in spite of + the fact that + S + V. | The policy was implemented in spite of the fact that a majority of members opposed it. |
18
Mastering these two tables will provide you with a reliable framework for nearly any situation involving despite and in spite of.

When To Use It

Choosing when to deploy despite or in spite of is a matter of register, emphasis, and style. While they are often interchangeable with words like but or although, they serve specific rhetorical purposes.
  1. 1To Signal a Clear Concession in Formal Contexts: This is their primary role. In academic, business, or any formal writing, using these prepositions signals a sophisticated understanding of sentence structure. They are more formal than a simple but and are used to acknowledge an obstacle before highlighting the more important, contrasting outcome.
  • Informal: I wanted to leave, but I stayed until the end.
  • Formal: Despite my desire to leave, I stayed until the end of the meeting.
  1. 1To Add Emphasis to an Obstacle: Placing the despite or in spite of phrase at the beginning of the sentence (a technique called fronting) draws immediate attention to the challenge or difficulty that was overcome. This creates a more dramatic effect than placing it at the end.
  • Neutral: She gave a brilliant presentation in spite of her fear of public speaking.
  • Emphatic: In spite of her intense fear of public speaking, she gave a brilliant presentation.
  1. 1To Vary Sentence Structure: In longer texts, relying solely on conjunctions like but and although can become repetitive. Integrating phrases with despite and in spite of adds syntactic variety, making your writing more engaging and dynamic. They allow you to combine ideas in ways that a simple conjunction cannot, especially by using gerunds.
  • Repetitive: The team lost. They had trained hard all season.
  • Improved: The team lost despite training hard all season.
  1. 1Choosing Between Despite and In Spite Of: The choice is stylistic. Corpus linguistics data shows that despite is roughly three to four times more common than in spite of in modern written English, particularly in formal and academic contexts. Its single-word form makes it more concise and direct. In spite of is still perfectly correct and widely used, especially in spoken English, where its slightly more rhythmic, three-word structure can feel natural. For a formal university essay or a business report, despite is often the safer, more conventional choice.

Common Mistakes

Even advanced learners can fall into a few common traps with these prepositions. Being aware of them is the best way to ensure your usage is flawless.
Mistake #1: The Phantom of — *Despite of
This is the single most frequent error. Learners logically blend despite and in spite of and incorrectly produce *despite of. You must burn this rule into your memory: despite is a lone operator and is never followed by of.
  • Wrong: *Despite of the rain, we went outside.
  • Right: Despite the rain, we went outside.
  • Right: In spite of the rain, we went outside.
Mistake #2: Following with a Subject + Verb Clause
As we have covered, prepositions cannot directly take a clause as their object. This is a fundamental rule that is often forgotten.
  • Wrong: *In spite of she felt tired, she finished the race.
  • Right (Gerund): In spite of feeling tired, she finished the race.
  • Right (Noun): In spite of her tiredness, she finished the race.
  • Right (Clause): In spite of the fact that she felt tired, she finished the race.
Mistake #3: Confusing with Conjunctions (although/though)
Although, though, and even though are subordinating conjunctions, not prepositions. Their grammatical function is to connect two clauses. This means they must be followed by a subject and a verb. This makes them a great, often more concise, alternative to the the fact that structure.
| Grammar Point | Prepositions (despite, in spite of) | Conjunctions (although, though) |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Preposition | Conjunction |
| Must be Followed by | Noun Phrase or Gerund | Subject + Verb Clause |
| Example (Correct) | despite the bad weather... | although the weather was bad... |
| Example (Incorrect) | despite the weather was bad... | although the bad weather... |
Mistake #4: Spelling inspite as One Word
In the age of autocorrect, this error is still common. In spite of is always three separate words. There is no such word as inspite in English.
  • Wrong: *Inspite of his efforts, he failed.
  • Right: In spite of his efforts, he failed.

Real Conversations

Observing how these phrases are used in authentic, everyday contexts is key to internalizing them. They appear in all registers, from formal reports to casual texts.

- In a Work Email:

> Subject: Project Phoenix Update

> Hi Team,

> Despite some initial setbacks with the supplier, we are now back on schedule to meet the Q3 deadline. Thanks for your hard work.

- In a University Lecture:

> "So, the research was ultimately successful, in spite of a significant lack of institutional funding. This really speaks to the dedication of the researchers involved."

- On a Social Media Post (Instagram Caption):

> (Photo of a beautiful, but crowded, tourist spot)

> "Finally made it! Despite the crowds, the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. #travel #worthit"

- In a Text Message Exchange:

> A: Are you still coming to dinner? I know you have that early flight.

> B: Yeah, absolutely. In spite of the early start tomorrow, I don't want to miss it.

- In a News Headline:

> EUROPEAN MARKETS RALLY DESPITE ONGOING POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY

- In a Movie Subtitle:

> Character 1: "How can you trust her?"

> Character 2: "In spite of everything she's done, she's still my sister."

Quick FAQ

Q: Is there absolutely any difference in meaning between despite and in spite of?

No. They are 100% synonymous. The choice between them is entirely stylistic and related to register or rhythm. You can swap one for the other in any sentence without changing the meaning.

Q: You said despite is more common. How much more?

In large databases of written English (corpora), despite appears about 3 to 4 times more often than in spite of. This preference is strongest in formal writing like academic articles and journalism. In spoken English, in spite of is more common than in writing, but despite still holds a slight edge.

Q: Despite the fact that is very long. Are there shorter alternatives when I need to use a clause?

Yes, absolutely. This is where conjunctions are your best friend. Although or the slightly more emphatic even though are excellent, more concise alternatives.

  • Wordy: She accepted the job despite the fact that the salary was low.
  • Better: She accepted the job although the salary was low.
Another advanced technique is nominalization—turning the verb or clause into a noun phrase.
  • Clause: Although the company's profits fell...
  • Noun Phrase: Despite the fall in the company's profits...
Q: Can I end a sentence with despite? For example, He was sick, but he came to work despite.

No. As prepositions, despite and in spite of must have an object (a noun, pronoun, or gerund). The sentence *...he came to work despite is incomplete. However, in conversation, you can end with a pronoun that refers to the obstacle. For example: "Was the traffic bad?" "Yes, but we got here on time in spite of it." Here, it is the necessary object.

Q: What about the word notwithstanding? Is it related?

Yes. Notwithstanding is a very formal, almost legalistic, synonym for despite or in spite of. It functions in the same way as a preposition. You will encounter it in legal documents, official proceedings, and very formal academic writing, but it is extremely rare in everyday conversation.

  • Example: Notwithstanding the committee's objections, the project was approved.

Structure of Concessive Prepositions

Preposition Followed By Example
Despite
Noun Phrase
Despite the rain
In spite of
Noun Phrase
In spite of the rain
Despite
Gerund (-ing)
Despite being tired
In spite of
Gerund (-ing)
In spite of being tired
Despite
The fact that + Clause
Despite the fact that it rained
In spite of
The fact that + Clause
In spite of the fact that it rained
Despite
Pronoun
Despite that
In spite of
Pronoun
In spite of this

Meanings

These words are used to express a contrast between two things, usually when the second thing is surprising or unexpected given the first thing.

1

Basic Contrast

Used to show that something happened even though something else might have prevented it.

“In spite of the cold, he didn't wear a coat.”

“Despite her injury, she won the race.”

2

With 'The Fact That'

Used before a full clause (subject + verb) by adding the phrase 'the fact that'.

“Despite the fact that it was midnight, he was still working.”

“In spite of the fact that she is rich, she lives very simply.”

3

Pronoun Usage

Used directly before pronouns like 'this', 'that', or 'what'.

“In spite of that, I still love him.”

“Despite what you think, I am actually trying to help.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Despite vs. In-spite-of: What's the Difference?
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Noun)
Despite + Noun
Despite the heat, we ran.
Affirmative (Gerund)
In spite of + Verb-ing
In spite of feeling ill, I worked.
With Clause
Despite the fact that + S + V
Despite the fact that he is old, he is fit.
Negative Gerund
Despite not + Verb-ing
Despite not having a map, we found it.
Pronoun
In spite of + Pronoun
In spite of everything, she is happy.
Sentence End
Clause + despite + Noun
I went out despite the rain.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Despite the inclement weather, we proceeded with our walk.

Despite the inclement weather, we proceeded with our walk. (Daily activity)

Neutral
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.

Despite the rain, we went for a walk. (Daily activity)

Informal
We went for a walk even though it was pouring.

We went for a walk even though it was pouring. (Daily activity)

Slang
We went out anyway, even with the rain and all.

We went out anyway, even with the rain and all. (Daily activity)

Contrast Prepositions Map

Contrast

Prepositions

  • Despite Takes a noun
  • In spite of Takes a noun

Conjunctions

  • Although Takes a sentence
  • Even though Takes a sentence

Despite vs. Although

Despite
the rain (Noun)
Although
it was raining (Subject + Verb)

Choosing the Right Word

1

Is it followed by a Noun?

YES
Use 'Despite' or 'In spite of'
NO
Go to next question
2

Is it followed by a Subject + Verb?

YES
Use 'Although' or 'Even though'
NO
Check for 'the fact that'

Common Nouns used with Despite

🌦️

Weather

  • • the rain
  • • the cold
  • • the heat
🧠

Feelings

  • • the pain
  • • the fear
  • • the stress
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Examples by Level

1

Despite the rain, I am happy.

2

In spite of the cold, we played outside.

3

He is fast despite his age.

4

In spite of the noise, she is sleeping.

1

Despite having no money, he bought a gift.

2

In spite of being sick, she went to school.

3

They arrived late despite leaving early.

4

In spite of the bad food, we had fun.

1

Despite the fact that it was late, he called me.

2

In spite of all his hard work, he failed.

3

She stayed calm despite the emergency.

4

In spite of what the doctor said, he feels better.

1

Despite the government's efforts, inflation rose.

2

In spite of having been warned, they entered the building.

3

The project was a success despite the limited budget.

4

In spite of the fact that she had never flown before, she wasn't nervous.

1

Despite the overwhelming evidence, he maintained his innocence.

2

In spite of the inherent risks, the explorers pushed forward.

3

The company thrived despite there being a global recession.

4

In spite of her reservations, she agreed to the proposal.

1

Notwithstanding the objections raised, the motion was passed.

2

Despite his being a relative newcomer, he was appointed CEO.

3

In spite of the fact that the theory is widely accepted, some anomalies remain.

4

He persevered, despite the odds being stacked against him.

Easily Confused

Despite vs. In-spite-of: What's the Difference? vs Although vs. Despite

Learners use them with the wrong structures because they mean the same thing.

Despite vs. In-spite-of: What's the Difference? vs Regardless of vs. Despite

Both show contrast, but 'regardless of' means the condition is ignored, while 'despite' means the condition was a problem that was overcome.

Despite vs. In-spite-of: What's the Difference? vs But vs. Despite

Learners try to use both in the same sentence.

Common Mistakes

✗

Despite of the rain.

✓

Despite the rain.

Never use 'of' with 'despite'.
✗

In spite the rain.

✓

In spite of the rain.

'In spite' always needs 'of'.
✗

Despite it was raining.

✓

Despite the rain.

You cannot put a sentence (it was raining) after 'despite'.
✗

Although the rain.

✓

Despite the rain.

'Although' needs a subject and a verb.
✗

Despite to be tired.

✓

Despite being tired.

Use the -ing form (gerund), not the infinitive.
✗

In spite of he was sick.

✓

In spite of being sick.

Don't use a subject + verb after 'in spite of'.
✗

Despite of his age.

✓

Despite his age.

Still the 'of' error, very persistent at A2.
✗

Despite the fact it was raining.

✓

Despite the fact that it was raining.

Don't forget the 'that' in the long phrase.
✗

In spite of not have money.

✓

In spite of not having money.

Negative gerunds still need the -ing.
✗

Despite of what I said.

✓

Despite what I said.

The 'of' error even with pronouns.
✗

Despite that it was raining.

✓

Despite the fact that it was raining.

In formal writing, 'despite that' is often considered too informal compared to 'despite the fact that'.

Sentence Patterns

Despite ___, I still ___.

In spite of ___ing, she ___.

He ___ despite the fact that ___.

Despite ___, ___ notwithstanding.

Real World Usage

Job Interviews common

I completed the project on time despite a very limited budget.

Weather Reports very common

In spite of the storm, the airport remains open.

Social Media occasional

Had a blast despite the rain! #vacation

Academic Essays constant

Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights.

Customer Service common

We are processing your order despite the current holiday delays.

Sports Commentary very common

They won the game despite losing their best player in the first half.

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⚠️

The 'Of' Trap

Never write 'despite of'. It is the most common error for English learners. If you want to use 'of', you must use 'in spite of'.
🎯

Use Gerunds for Flow

If you want your writing to flow better, use a gerund (-ing) after despite. 'Despite being tired' sounds better than 'Despite the fact that he was tired'.
💡

Interchangeability

If you are unsure which one to use, just pick 'despite'. It is shorter, works in all situations, and is always correct as long as you don't add 'of'.
💬

Formal vs Informal

In a very casual text message, you might just use 'even though'. Save 'despite' for when you want to sound a bit more serious or clear.

Smart Tips

Replace one of your 'but' sentences with a 'Despite' sentence at the start to improve your grade.

The results were good, but the sample size was small. → Despite the small sample size, the results were good.

Count the words. 'In spite of' has 3 words. 'Despite' has 1. They never share.

Despite of the cost... → Despite the cost...

Always use the 'bridge' phrase: 'the fact that'.

Despite he was late... → Despite the fact that he was late...

Use 'In spite of' and link the words: 'inspit-ov'.

In. Spite. Of. The. Rain. → Inspitov the rain.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈspaɪt/

Despite Stress

The stress is on the second syllable: de-SPITE.

/ɪn spaɪt əv/

In Spite Of Link

In natural speech, 'spite' and 'of' link together. It sounds like 'spit-ov'.

Comma Pause

Despite the rain [pause], we went out.

When 'despite' starts a sentence, there is a slight rising intonation before the comma pause.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Despite is 'D-light' (delight) because it's only one word. In spite of is a 'Trio' (three words).

Visual Association

Imagine a runner crossing a finish line while it's pouring rain. The rain is the 'Noun' following 'Despite'. The runner is the 'Success' that happened anyway.

Rhyme

Despite the rain, I feel no pain. In spite of the cold, I'm feeling bold.

Story

A man named Dan wanted to hike. Despite the storm, he went. In spite of the wind, he climbed. He reached the top despite the fact that he was exhausted.

Word Web

DespiteIn spite ofAlthoughContrastGerundNounConcession

Challenge

Write three sentences about your day using 'despite' + a noun, 'in spite of' + a gerund, and 'despite the fact that'.

Cultural Notes

British speakers use both 'despite' and 'in spite of' frequently, but 'in spite of' can sometimes sound slightly more traditional in spoken dialects.

American English leans heavily on 'despite' in news and professional contexts, while 'even though' is much more common in casual speech than 'in spite of'.

In global academic English, 'despite' is preferred for its brevity. Using 'in spite of' in a research paper is correct but might be edited to 'despite' to save space.

'Despite' comes from the Old French 'despit', meaning 'contempt' or 'scorn'. It originally meant 'in contempt of'.

Conversation Starters

“

What is something you did recently despite being very tired?

“

Have you ever traveled somewhere in spite of bad weather?

“

Despite the fact that technology is everywhere, what is one 'old-fashioned' thing you still love?

“

What is a goal you achieved despite the odds being against you?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you succeeded at something despite having no experience.
Describe a person you admire who succeeded in spite of many challenges.
Argue for or against a topic (e.g., social media) using 'despite the fact that' at least twice.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with 'Despite' or 'In spite of'.

___ the heavy rain, the football match continued.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite
We need a preposition for the noun 'heavy rain'. 'Despite' is correct. 'Despite of' is never correct.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Despite of his injury, he finished the marathon.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite of
The 'of' should be removed. It should be 'Despite his injury'.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: In spite of the cold, we went swimming.
'In spite of' is correctly followed by the noun phrase 'the cold'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'Despite'. Sentence Transformation

Although she was tired, she kept working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite being tired, she kept working.
When changing from 'although' to 'despite', the verb 'was' becomes the gerund 'being'.
Match the beginning of the sentence to the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-it was late, he stayed. / 2-the noise, I slept. / 3-it was raining, I went out.
Matches the grammar structure to the correct following phrase.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.

In spite of ___ (not have) much money, they are very happy.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: not having
After 'in spite of', we use the gerund (-ing) form.
Which word CANNOT fill the blank? Multiple Choice

___ the bad weather, we had a great time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Although
'Although' cannot be followed by a noun phrase like 'the bad weather'.
Correct the sentence: 'She passed the test despite she didn't study.' Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

What is the correct version?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She passed the test despite not studying.
Uses 'despite' + negative gerund correctly.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with 'Despite' or 'In spite of'.

___ the heavy rain, the football match continued.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite
We need a preposition for the noun 'heavy rain'. 'Despite' is correct. 'Despite of' is never correct.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Despite of his injury, he finished the marathon.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite of
The 'of' should be removed. It should be 'Despite his injury'.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: In spite of the cold, we went swimming.
'In spite of' is correctly followed by the noun phrase 'the cold'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'Despite'. Sentence Transformation

Although she was tired, she kept working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite being tired, she kept working.
When changing from 'although' to 'despite', the verb 'was' becomes the gerund 'being'.
Match the beginning of the sentence to the correct ending. Match Pairs

1. Despite the fact that... / 2. In spite of... / 3. Although...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-it was late, he stayed. / 2-the noise, I slept. / 3-it was raining, I went out.
Matches the grammar structure to the correct following phrase.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.

In spite of ___ (not have) much money, they are very happy.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: not having
After 'in spite of', we use the gerund (-ing) form.
Which word CANNOT fill the blank? Multiple Choice

___ the bad weather, we had a great time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Although
'Although' cannot be followed by a noun phrase like 'the bad weather'.
Correct the sentence: 'She passed the test despite she didn't study.' Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

What is the correct version?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She passed the test despite not studying.
Uses 'despite' + negative gerund correctly.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct option. Fill in the Blank

We had a great time ___ the awful weather.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: in spite of
Which of the following sentences is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite studying hard, she failed.
Find and fix the error in the sentence below. Error Correction

He refused to give up, in spite he was losing badly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He refused to give up, in spite of the fact that he was losing badly.
Translate the given idea into a correct English sentence using 'despite'. Translation

Translate into English: 'Even though she was afraid, she walked onto the stage.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Despite being afraid, she walked onto the stage.","Despite her fear, she walked onto the stage."]
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They went swimming in spite of the warnings.
Match the beginning of the sentence with its correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the sentence halves:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option. Fill in the Blank

___ the fact that the instructions were in Japanese, I managed to build the shelf.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite
Which sentence is NOT grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the incorrect sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Despite of its high price, people still buy it.
Find and correct the grammatical error in the sentence. Error Correction

Inspite of the risk, he invested all his money.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: In spite of the risk, he invested all his money.
Arrange the words to make a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Put these words in order:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I didn't believe his sincerity despite the fact that he apologized.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

She failed the exam ___ she had a private tutor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: in spite of the fact that

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

Yes, `despite` is generally considered slightly more formal and is more common in academic and professional writing. However, both are perfectly acceptable in all situations.

Absolutely! Just remember to put a comma after the noun phrase. For example: `Despite the rain, we went out.`

It's simply a rule of the language. `Despite` is a single-word preposition, while `in spite of` is a three-word phrasal preposition. Mixing them is a common error.

Only if you add `the fact that`. You cannot say `Despite it was raining`. You must say `Despite the fact that it was raining`.

The difference is grammar. `Although` is followed by a subject and a verb (`Although it was raining`). `Despite` is followed by a noun (`Despite the rain`).

Yes. For example: `We went for a walk despite the rain.` This is very common.

No. In this context, it must always be `in spite of`. The word `spite` alone is a noun meaning a desire to hurt or annoy someone.

Yes, usually with a gerund. `Despite not having a map, we found the house.`

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

A pesar de

Spanish uses the infinitive where English uses the gerund (-ing).

French high

Malgré / En dépit de

French 'Malgré' is very common in speech, whereas 'Despite' is slightly more formal.

German moderate

Trotz

German requires a specific grammatical case (Genitive) after the word.

Japanese partial

～にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)

The word order is reversed; the contrast marker comes after the noun.

Arabic high

على الرغم من (ala al-raghm min)

It is almost always a multi-word phrase; there isn't a common one-word equivalent like 'Despite'.

Chinese moderate

尽管 (jǐnguǎn)

Chinese contrast markers often come in pairs (Although... but...).

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Few vs. Some: What's the Difference?
Next
Despite vs. Although: What's the Difference?

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