Despite vs In Spite Of: The Definitive B1–B2 Guide

Introduction

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence, wondering whether to write “despite” or “in spite of”, you are not alone. These two phrases are among the most confusing for English learners, yet they are essential for expressing contrast and concession in both academic writing and everyday conversation. The good news? They mean exactly the same thing, and once you learn a few simple rules, you’ll use them with confidence.

What Is “Despite” and “In Spite Of”?

Both “despite” and “in spite of” are prepositions used to show that something happened or is true even though there was an obstacle or opposing factor. They introduce a contrast between two ideas. For example:

• Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
• In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.

Both sentences mean exactly the same thing: the rain did not stop us. The only difference is that “in spite of” is three words and slightly more formal, while “despite” is one word and more common in modern English.

Rules

Here are the golden rules for using these phrases correctly:

1. Always follow them with a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). You cannot use a full clause (subject + verb) directly after them. Instead of saying “Despite it rained,” you must say “Despite the rain” or “Despite raining.”
2. Never use “of” after “despite.” Write “despite the delay,” not “despite of the delay.” This is a very common ESL error.
3. “In spite of” and “despite” are interchangeable. You can swap them in any sentence without changing the meaning. Choose based on rhythm or formality.
4. When you need a clause, add “the fact that.” For example: “Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out.” This is grammatically correct and common in academic writing.
5. They can appear at the start or in the middle of a sentence. If you start with them, use a comma after the phrase. If you put them in the middle, no comma is needed.

How to Use It

Follow these steps to use “despite” and “in spite of” naturally:

Step 1: Identify the contrast. Think of two ideas that are opposite or surprising. For example: “He was tired” and “He finished the race.”

Step 2: Choose your noun or gerund. Turn one idea into a noun phrase. “He was tired” becomes “his tiredness” or “being tired.”

Step 3: Place the phrase. Put it at the beginning of the sentence (followed by a comma) or in the middle (no comma).

• Beginning: Despite his tiredness, he finished the race.
• Middle: He finished the race in spite of being tired.

Step 4: If you must use a full clause, add “the fact that.” Example: Despite the fact that he was tired, he finished the race.

Step 5: In conversation, choose “despite” for brevity. In formal essays, feel free to use “in spite of” for variety, but don’t overuse either.

Examples in Sentences

Here are 10+ sentences showing both phrases in action. Notice the bolded grammar points.

• Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
• She passed the exam in spite of not studying much.
• Despite being exhausted, the team played brilliantly.
• He accepted the job in spite of the low salary.
• Despite the fact that it was snowing, the flight took off.
• They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
• Despite his lack of experience, he was hired immediately.
• The museum was crowded in spite of being free on Mondays.
• Despite all our efforts, the project failed.
• She smiled in spite of her sadness.
• Despite the noise, the baby slept peacefully.
• We went hiking in spite of the warning signs.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors that English learners make:

• ❌ Despite of the rain, we played football.
  ✅ Despite the rain, we played football.
  Never add “of” after “despite.”
• ❌ In spite from the delay, we waited.
  ✅ In spite of the delay, we waited.
  The correct preposition is always “of.”
• ❌ Despite it was late, she called me.
  ✅ Despite it being late, she called me. OR Despite the fact that it was late, she called me.
  Use a gerund or “the fact that,” not a full clause.
• ❌ He went out in spite the storm.
  ✅ He went out in spite of the storm.
  “In spite” alone is incomplete.
• ❌ Despite of the fact he was sick, he came.
  ✅ Despite the fact that he was sick, he came.
  Include both “the fact” and “that.”

Quick Summary

• “Despite” and “in spite of” are synonymous prepositions.
• They must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
• For a full clause, use “despite the fact that” or “in spite of the fact that.”
• Never write “despite of.”
• Use a comma when the phrase starts the sentence.
• “Despite” is slightly more common; “in spite of” is a bit more formal.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with “despite” or “in spite of” (both are correct). Write your answers, then check below.

1. ______ the high cost, they bought the house.
2. She finished the marathon ______ having a knee injury.
3. ______ the fact that he was nervous, he gave a great speech.
4. They went swimming ______ the cold water.
5. ______ all his money, he is not happy.

Answers: 1. Despite/In spite of, 2. despite/in spite of, 3. Despite/In spite of, 4. despite/in spite of, 5. Despite/In spite of. (All answers accept either phrase.)

Conclusion

Mastering “despite” and “in spite of” will instantly elevate your English, making your writing sound more academic and your speech more fluent. Remember the core rule: noun or gerund after the phrase, and never “despite of.” Practice these daily, and soon you’ll use them without thinking.

FAQ

1. Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” at the end of a sentence?
Yes, but it’s rare and usually happens in short answers or informal speech. For example: “Did you go out?” “Yes, despite the rain.” In writing, it’s better to place them at the beginning or middle.

2. What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?
“Although” is a conjunction that introduces a full clause (subject + verb), e.g., “Although it rained, we went out.” “Despite” is a preposition that introduces a noun or gerund, e.g., “Despite the rain, we went out.” They are not interchangeable directly, but you can often rewrite a sentence to use either.

3. Is “in spite of” more formal than “despite”?
Yes, slightly. “In spite of” is a bit more formal and often appears in academic or legal writing. “Despite” is more versatile and common in both spoken and written English. However, both are acceptable in all registers.

4. Can I say “despite of the fact that”?
No. The correct form is “despite the fact that” or “in spite of the fact that.” Adding “of” after “despite” is always a grammatical error. Many learners make this mistake because they confuse it with “in spite of.”