Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to write despite or in spite of? You are not alone. These two phrases are among the most confusing pairs in English because they mean exactly the same thing—yet their structure trips up even advanced learners. Mastering them will instantly elevate your formal writing and make your contrast sentences sound natural and precise. In this guide, we will break down the rules, show you step-by-step usage, expose common ESL errors, and give you plenty of practice.
What Is “Despite” vs “In Spite Of”?
Both despite and in spite of are prepositions used to show contrast or concession. They mean “without being affected by” or “even though.” When you use them, you are saying that something happened or is true, even though there was a difficulty, obstacle, or opposing fact.
The key difference is purely stylistic: despite is shorter and slightly more formal; in spite of is a three-word phrase that is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. There is no difference in meaning whatsoever. Think of them as twins—identical in function, different in appearance.
Rules
- Rule 1: Both are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). You cannot use a full clause (subject + verb) directly after them. For example: Despite the rain (noun) or In spite of feeling tired (gerund).
- Rule 2: Never use “of” after “despite.” The phrase is simply “despite,” not “despite of.” This is a very common error. Say “despite the noise,” not “despite of the noise.”
- Rule 3: Never add “the fact that” unless you need a full clause. If you want to use a subject + verb, you must add “the fact that” after either phrase. Example: Despite the fact that he was ill OR In spite of the fact that he was ill.
- Rule 4: Do not use “in spite” without “of.” “In spite” alone is incorrect. Always say “in spite of.”
- Rule 5: Punctuation matters. When the phrase starts the sentence, put a comma after the phrase. When it appears mid-sentence, no comma is needed.
- Rule 6: Both are interchangeable. You can swap them in any sentence without changing the meaning. Choose based on rhythm or formality.
How to Use It
Follow these simple steps to construct perfect contrast sentences with despite or in spite of.
Step 1: Identify the contrast
Decide what the opposing ideas are. Example: The weather was bad. The picnic continued. The contrast is between bad weather and continuing the picnic.
Step 2: Choose your phrase
Pick either despite or in spite of. Both work. Let’s choose despite for brevity.
Step 3: Turn the first idea into a noun or gerund
Instead of “The weather was bad,” you need a noun phrase. Say “the bad weather” (noun) or “the weather being bad” (gerund clause).
Step 4: Build the sentence
Place the phrase at the beginning or middle. Example: Despite the bad weather, the picnic continued. Or: The picnic continued despite the bad weather.
Step 5: If you need a full clause, add “the fact that”
If you want to say “Despite the fact that the weather was bad,” that is fine. It adds words but is grammatically correct.
Examples in Sentences
- Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.
- She finished the marathon in spite of her injury.
- Despite studying all night, he failed the exam.
- They went hiking in spite of the freezing cold.
- Despite the high cost, they bought the house.
- He remained cheerful in spite of losing his wallet.
- Despite being rich, she is very humble.
- The event was a success in spite of poor planning.
- Despite the fact that it was raining, we played football.
- She passed the test in spite of the fact that she had a fever.
- Despite his age, he runs faster than most teenagers.
- The company grew in spite of the economic crisis.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying “despite of”
❌ Despite of the traffic, we arrived early.
✅ Despite the traffic, we arrived early.
Mistake 2: Using a full clause directly after the phrase
❌ Despite he was tired, he kept working.
✅ Despite being tired, he kept working. OR Despite the fact that he was tired, he kept working.
Mistake 3: Forgetting “of” in “in spite of”
❌ In spite the rain, we went out.
✅ In spite of the rain, we went out.
Mistake 4: Using “although” and “despite” together
❌ Although despite the cost, they bought it.
✅ Although it was costly, they bought it. OR Despite the cost, they bought it.
Mistake 5: Adding “but” after “despite”
❌ Despite the delay, but we still caught the train.
✅ Despite the delay, we still caught the train.
Quick Summary
- Despite and in spite of are interchangeable prepositions meaning “even though.”
- Both are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (never a subject + verb directly).
- To use a full clause, add “the fact that” after either phrase.
- Never write “despite of” or “in spite” (without “of”).
- Use a comma when the phrase starts the sentence.
- In formal writing, both are acceptable; “despite” is often preferred for conciseness.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite or in spite of (or add “the fact that” where needed).
- __________ the noise, she managed to concentrate.
- He didn’t apologize __________ being clearly wrong.
- __________ the fact that it was late, they continued the meeting.
- We enjoyed the picnic __________ the sudden rain.
- __________ his wealth, he drives an old car.
Answers:
- Despite (or In spite of)
- despite (or in spite of)
- Despite (or In spite of) — “the fact that” is already provided.
- despite (or in spite of)
- Despite (or In spite of)
Conclusion
Now you have the tools to use despite and in spite of with confidence. Remember the golden rules: no “of” after “despite,” always “of” after “in spite,” and never follow either with a subject + verb unless you add “the fact that.” Practice these in your writing, and your contrast sentences will sound polished and professional in no time.
FAQ
1. Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, absolutely. When placed at the start, use a comma after the phrase. For example: Despite the cost, we bought it. This is common in formal writing and adds emphasis to the contrast.
2. What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?
This is a frequent question. Although is a conjunction and is followed by a subject + verb (a full clause). Despite is a preposition and is followed by a noun or gerund. Compare: Although he was tired, he worked. vs. Despite being tired, he worked. Both are correct, but the structure differs.
3. Is “in spite of” informal?
No, it is not informal. In spite of is perfectly standard and appears in academic papers, business reports, and official documents. It is slightly wordier than despite, but both are equally acceptable in formal writing.
4. Can I use “despite” with a verb in the -ing form?
Yes, and this is very common. For example: Despite feeling unwell, she gave a great presentation. The gerund (-ing form) functions as a noun here, which is exactly what despite requires. This structure is concise and elegant, especially in professional emails or essays.