Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to write “despite” or “in spite of”? You are not alone. These two phrases express the same idea—contrast and concession—but their subtle differences in tone and structure confuse even advanced learners. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, so you can write with confidence and sound natural in both casual and formal English.
What Is “Despite” vs “In Spite Of”?
Both despite and in spite of are prepositions that show a contrast between two ideas. They mean “even though” or “not affected by.” For example, “Despite the rain, we went hiking” and “In spite of the rain, we went hiking” have the exact same meaning. The only real difference is style: despite is shorter and more common in modern English, while in spite of is slightly more formal and often appears in written essays or speeches. Both are correct, but you must follow their specific grammar rules—especially when it comes to what follows them.
Rules
- Always use a noun, pronoun, or -ing verb after them. You cannot use a full clause (subject + verb) directly. Say “despite the delay” or “despite being tired,” not “despite we were tired.”
- Never use “of” after “despite.” It is always “despite” alone. “Despite of” is a common error—avoid it completely.
- “In spite of” always includes “of.” Do not drop it. Write “in spite of the noise,” not “in spite the noise.”
- Both can be placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence. If placed at the beginning, add a comma after the phrase. Example: “In spite of his fear, he spoke.” In the middle: “He spoke in spite of his fear.”
- For contrast with a full clause, use “although” or “even though.” If you have a subject and verb, switch to those words. “Although it rained, we went” is correct; “Despite it rained” is not.
- Use “the fact that” to combine with a clause. If you need a full clause after despite/in spite of, add “the fact that.” Example: “Despite the fact that it rained, we went.”
How to Use It
Follow these simple steps to use both phrases correctly in your writing.
Step 1: Identify the contrast. Ask yourself: what two ideas am I contrasting? For example, “He is rich” vs “He is unhappy.”
Step 2: Choose the noun or -ing form. Turn the second idea into a noun phrase. Instead of “he is unhappy,” use “his unhappiness” or “being unhappy.”
Step 3: Place the phrase. Put “despite” or “in spite of” before that noun or -ing form. Example: “Despite his wealth, he is unhappy.” Or: “In spite of being wealthy, he is unhappy.”
Step 4: Adjust tone. For informal emails or speech, use “despite.” For academic papers, business reports, or formal presentations, “in spite of” adds a polished feel. Both are acceptable everywhere, but this tip helps you match your audience.
Step 5: Add “the fact that” for verbs. If you really want to use a full clause, insert “the fact that.” Example: “Despite the fact that she was sick, she came to work.” This is wordier but perfectly grammatical.
Examples in Sentences
- Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
- She passed the exam in spite of not studying much.
- Despite being exhausted, he finished the marathon.
- They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
- Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.
- In spite of the warnings, the hikers continued up the mountain.
- She smiled despite her sadness.
- In spite of the high price, the restaurant was full every night.
- Despite the fact that it was midnight, the children were still playing.
- He kept working in spite of feeling unwell.
- Despite the criticism, the artist stayed true to her vision.
- We missed the train in spite of running to the station.
Common Mistakes
Here are the most frequent errors ESL learners make—and how to fix them.
- Mistake 1: Using “despite of”
❌ Despite of the rain, we played.
✅ Despite the rain, we played. - Mistake 2: Dropping “of” in “in spite of”
❌ In spite the rain, we played.
✅ In spite of the rain, we played. - Mistake 3: Using a full clause after despite
❌ Despite it was raining, we played.
✅ Despite the rain, we played. OR Despite the fact that it was raining, we played. - Mistake 4: Confusing “despite” with “although”
❌ Although the rain, we played.
✅ Although it rained, we played. (Use although with a clause.) - Mistake 5: Adding “but” in the same sentence
❌ Despite the rain, but we played.
✅ Despite the rain, we played. (Do not use “but” after despite.)
Quick Summary
- Same meaning: despite = in spite of = “even though.”
- Follow with: a noun, pronoun, or -ing verb.
- Never say: “despite of” or “in spite the.”
- For full clauses: add “the fact that” or use “although.”
- Tone: despite is more common; in spite of is slightly more formal.
- Comma rule: add a comma if the phrase starts the sentence.
- No double conjunctions: do not combine with “but.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite, in spite of, or the fact that (you may need to adjust the sentence). Answers are below.
- __________ his busy schedule, he called his mother every day.
- She went to the party __________ being very tired.
- __________ the weather was terrible, the flight landed safely.
- They finished the project on time __________ the many delays.
- __________ he had no money, he bought a gift for his friend.
Answers:
- Despite / In spite of
- despite / in spite of
- Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that
- despite / in spite of
- Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that
Conclusion
Mastering despite and in spite of is a small change that makes a big difference in your English fluency. Remember the golden rules: use a noun or -ing form, never say “despite of,” and add “the fact that” when you need a full clause. Practice these patterns daily, and soon you’ll use them automatically—in both casual chats and formal essays.
FAQ
Q1: Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” interchangeably in any sentence?
Yes, in almost all cases they are interchangeable. The meaning is identical. The only nuance is tone: “despite” feels more direct and modern, while “in spite of” can sound slightly more formal or emphatic. Both are grammatically correct in every context we covered.
Q2: What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?
“Despite” is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or -ing verb. “Although” is a conjunction, so it introduces a full clause (subject + verb). Example: “Despite the rain” vs “Although it rained.” You cannot swap them without changing the sentence structure.
Q3: Is it ever correct to say “despite of”?
No, never. “Despite” already contains the meaning of “in spite of.” Adding “of” is a grammar error. However, you can say “in spite of”—that is the only correct form with “spite.”
Q4: How do I use “despite” with a verb like “go” or “eat”?
Use the -ing form (gerund). For example: “Despite going to bed late, she woke up early.” Or “In spite of eating too much, he felt hungry.” If you want to keep the original verb tense, add “the fact that”: “Despite the fact that he went to bed late, she woke up early.”