despite / in spite of + noun phrase, main clauseUse a noun or noun phrase after despite / in spite of to show contrast.
Despite / In Spite Of
B1Use despite or in spite of to show contrast before a noun phrase or -ing form: despite the rain, in spite of being tired.
What you'll learn
- Use despite and in spite of before a noun phrase.
- Use despite and in spite of before an -ing form.
- Add the fact that before a full clause.
- Choose between despite and in spite of with no meaning change.
Structure
despite / in spite of + verb-ing, main clauseUse an -ing form, not a base verb or full clause, after despite / in spite of.
despite / in spite of + the fact that + clause, main clauseAdd the fact that when the next part is a full clause with subject and verb.
Build a sentence
Linker
Pattern
Despitethe rain,Tom went for a walk
Despite the rain, Tom went for a walk.
Use despite + noun phrase.
When to use
Obstacle, result still happens
Use these expressions when something makes the result surprising: Despite the traffic, Lisa arrived on time.
Before nouns
Put a noun phrase after them: despite the noise, in spite of his age, despite the delay.
Before actions
Use an -ing form for an action idea: in spite of working late, despite feeling sick.
Markers
despitein spite ofthe fact thatresult still happens
In contrast
vs concession-clauses
Although connects to a full clause: Although Maria was tired, she worked. Despite needs a noun, -ing form, or the fact that-clause.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Despite she was tired, Maria finished the report.
Correct
Despite the fact that she was tired, Maria finished the report.
A full clause cannot go directly after despite. Add the fact that, or change it to a noun phrase or -ing form.
Wrong
In spite the rain, Tom went running.
Correct
In spite of the rain, Tom went running.
In spite is followed by of. The three-word unit is in spite of.
Wrong
Despite feel sick, Anna went to work.
Correct
Despite feeling sick, Anna went to work.
After despite, use a noun phrase or an -ing form, not a base verb.
Wrong
In spite of to being late, Leo joined the meeting.
Correct
In spite of being late, Leo joined the meeting.
Do not add to before the -ing form after in spite of.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can use despite exactly like although before any clause. ❞
Not directly. Despite is followed by a noun phrase or -ing form. Before a full clause, use despite the fact that or use although instead.
❝ Despite is stronger than in spite of, so the meaning changes. ❞
They mean the same thing in normal use. The main difference is the form: despite is one word, in spite of includes of.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_WITH_NOUNw5Use despite and in spite of before a noun or noun phrase
Put despite or in spite of directly before a noun phrase to show contrast. The result happens, but there is an obstacle or surprising condition.
USE_WITH_INGw5Use despite and in spite of before an -ing form
Use an -ing form after despite or in spite of when the next idea is an action. Do not use a finite verb form right after them.
ADD_THE_FACT_THAT_FOR_CLAUSEw4Add the fact that before a full clause after despite or in spite of
If the next part has its own subject and verb, use the fact that after despite or in spite of. This lets you connect a full clause correctly.
CHOOSE_BETWEEN_DESPITE_AND_IN_SPITE_OFw3Choose despite or in spite of with the same meaning
Despite and in spite of both express contrast. Choose despite as one word or in spite of as a three-word option, but build the rest of the sentence the same way.
RECOGNIZE_CONTRAST_MEANINGw3Recognize that despite and in spite of show an unexpected result
These expressions introduce a problem, but the main result still happens. They answer the idea of although, but they are followed by a noun phrase or -ing form.