Introduction
Do you ever pause mid-sentence, unsure whether to write despite or in spite of? You are not alone. These two phrases express the same idea—showing that something happened even though something else was true—but they trip up even advanced learners. In this guide, we will clear up the confusion once and for all. You will learn exactly how to position them, when to use each one for formal or casual writing, and how to avoid the most common ESL traps. By the end, you will use these connectors with total confidence.
What Is “Despite” and “In Spite Of”?
Both despite and in spite of are prepositions that introduce a contrast or concession. They mean “not being prevented by” or “even though.” They show that the result in the main clause is surprising when you consider the information in the prepositional phrase.
For example: We went hiking despite the rain. The rain would normally stop us, but we went anyway. That is concession. The key point: both phrases are followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an -ing verb (gerund). They are never followed directly by a full clause with a subject and a finite verb.
Rules
Here are the golden rules for using despite and in spite of correctly. Follow these, and you will never mix them up.
- They are interchangeable in meaning. There is zero difference in meaning. You can always swap one for the other without changing the sense of the sentence.
- Both are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). You cannot say “despite I was tired.” You must say “despite being tired” or “despite my tiredness.”
- Never use “of” after “despite.” The phrase is “despite” alone. “Despite of” is a major error. For “in spite,” you must always include “of.”
- They can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. At the beginning, add a comma after the phrase. In the middle, no comma is needed (unless the phrase is non-essential).
- To connect to a full clause, use “the fact that.” If you need a subject + verb after these prepositions, add “the fact that.” Example: “Despite the fact that he was late, he got the job.”
- For formality, “despite” is slightly more formal. In academic writing, “despite” is more common. “In spite of” is perfectly correct but appears a bit more conversational.
How to Use It
Follow this simple step-by-step process to build perfect sentences with despite or in spite of.
Step 1: Identify the contrast. Think of two ideas that are opposite. Example: (A) It was raining. (B) We had a picnic.
Step 2: Choose your phrase. Decide if you want “despite” or “in spite of.” Both work.
Step 3: Turn one idea into a noun phrase or gerund. For idea A, “the rain” is a noun. For a verb, use the -ing form: “raining” becomes “the rain” or “the fact that it was raining.”
Step 4: Place the phrase. Put it at the start (with a comma) or in the middle (usually after the subject).
Step 5: Write the main clause. This is the surprising result.
Let’s build it: Despite the rain, we had a picnic. Or: We had a picnic despite the rain. Both are perfect. For a verb: Despite feeling tired, she finished the marathon. For a full clause: Despite the fact that he was nervous, he gave a great speech.
Examples in Sentences
Read these examples aloud. Notice the bolded grammar point and where it sits in each sentence.
- Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
- She accepted the job in spite of the low salary.
- Despite being exhausted, he studied for four more hours.
- They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
- Despite the fact that the hotel was expensive, the view was worth it.
- He passed the exam in spite of not attending any classes.
- Despite her fear of heights, she climbed the tower.
- The team lost the match in spite of playing brilliantly.
- Despite having little money, they donated to charity.
- We went for a walk in spite of the warning about the storm.
- Despite his age, my grandfather runs five kilometers daily.
- She smiled in spite of the bad news.
Common Mistakes
Here are the top five errors ESL learners make with these phrases. Avoid them completely.
Mistake 1: Using “despite of”
❌ Despite of the rain, we played football.
✅ Despite the rain, we played football.
Remember: “despite” never takes “of.”
Mistake 2: Following with a full clause (subject + verb)
❌ Despite he was sick, he went to work.
✅ Despite being sick, he went to work.
✅ Despite the fact that he was sick, he went to work.
Use a gerund or “the fact that.”
Mistake 3: Forgetting “of” after “in spite”
❌ In spite the heat, she wore a jacket.
✅ In spite of the heat, she wore a jacket.
“In spite” is incomplete without “of.”
Mistake 4: Using “although” and “despite” together
❌ Although despite being tired, he ran.
✅ Despite being tired, he ran.
✅ Although he was tired, he ran.
Choose one connector, not both.
Mistake 5: Adding “but” in the same clause
❌ Despite the rain, but we went out.
✅ Despite the rain, we went out.
“Despite” already shows contrast; “but” is redundant.
Quick Summary
- Despite and in spite of mean exactly the same thing.
- Both are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing).
- Never say “despite of” — it is always incorrect.
- Always say “in spite of” — the “of” is mandatory.
- For a full clause, add “the fact that.”
- Sentence position: start (with comma) or middle (no comma).
- “Despite” is slightly more formal for academic writing.
- Do not combine with “although” or “but” in the same clause.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite or in spite of (both are correct unless specified). Write your answers down before checking.
- __________ the noise, the baby slept peacefully.
- He finished the race __________ having a twisted ankle.
- __________ of the cost, they bought the first-class tickets.
- She passed the interview __________ the fact that she was very nervous.
- __________ the warning, the tourists swam in the rough sea.
Answers:
- Despite / In spite of
- Despite / In spite of
- In spite (this one must be “in spite of” because of the “of” after the blank)
- Despite / In spite of
- Despite / In spite of
Note for #3: The sentence already contains “of,” so the only correct choice is “in spite.”
Conclusion
Now you have the complete picture. Despite and in spite of are simple, powerful tools for showing contrast. Practice using them in your next email, essay, or conversation. The more you use them, the more natural they will feel. Bookmark this guide and revisit it whenever you need a quick refresher.
FAQ
Q1: Is “despite” more formal than “in spite of”?
Yes, slightly. In academic papers and formal reports, you will see “despite” far more often. “In spite of” is correct and common in everyday speech and writing. Both are acceptable in any context, but choose “despite” for a more polished, academic tone.
Q2: Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” with a full sentence?
No, not directly. They are prepositions, so they need a noun or gerund. If you want a full clause (subject + verb), you must add “the fact that.” Example: “In spite of the fact that she was late, she was welcomed warmly.” Alternatively, use “although” or “even though” for a full clause.
Q3: What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?
“Despite” is a preposition; “although” is a conjunction. “Despite” is followed by a noun or gerund: “Despite the rain.” “Although” is followed by a full clause: “Although it rained.” They are not interchangeable grammatically, though they express similar contrast.
Q4: Is “in spite of” ever written as “inspite of”?
No. “Inspite” is a common misspelling. It is always three separate words: “in spite of.” Think of it as “in” + “spite” + “of.” Writing it as one word is a spelling error you should avoid in all contexts.