Despite, in spite of (examples, how to use)
Here is how to use despite and in spite of correctly.
| Despite, in spite of | ||
| Despite and in spite of have the same meaning and are prepositions. We use despite / in spite of to express that something is unexpected or surprising. |
Despite the heavy traffic, we got there on time. Despite being much older than the others, he won the race. |
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| Despite and in spite of can be followed by a noun or verb. They can also be followed by the fact that, which is less formal. We use in spite of / despite: + noun + verb + -ing + the fact that. |
In spite of / despite the heavy traffic, we got there on time. (+ noun) In spite of / despite the traffic being heavy, we got there on time. (+ verb -ing) In spite of / despite the fact that he is much older than the others, he won the race. In spite of / despite being much older than the others, he won the race. |
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| Despite is more common than in spite of in formal written English. | ||
See also
Although, even though vs. despite
Practice exercise 1 (upper-intermediate)
Despite, in spite of, although, even though ex.1
Practice exercise 2 (upper-intermediate)
Despite, in spite of, although, even though ex. 2