Introduction
Do you ever hesitate before choosing between despite and in spite of? You are not alone. These two phrases are among the most confusing for English learners at B1–B2 level, yet they are essential for expressing contrast and concession in both writing and speaking. In this guide, you will learn the simple rules, see clear examples, avoid typical ESL errors, and test yourself with practice exercises.
What Is “Despite” and “In Spite Of”?
Both despite and in spite of are prepositions that mean “not being affected by” or “even though.” They introduce a fact that makes the main clause surprising or unexpected. For example, “Despite the rain, we went for a walk” means the rain did not stop us. The key point is that they are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form)—not a full clause with a subject and verb.
Rules
- Use “despite” or “in spite of” + noun/pronoun/gerund. Example: Despite the traffic, she arrived early.
- Never use “of” after “despite.” Say “despite” alone, not “despite of.”
- Always include “of” after “in spite.” Say “in spite of,” never “in spite.”
- Do not use “but” or “although” in the same clause. These are redundant. Say Despite being tired, he worked (not “Despite being tired, but he worked”).
- Use a clause after “despite the fact that” or “in spite of the fact that.” This is the only way to use a full sentence. Example: Despite the fact that it was raining, we played football.
- Both phrases are interchangeable in meaning. Choose based on formality: “despite” is slightly more formal and common in writing; “in spite of” is a bit more conversational.
How to Use It
Follow these simple steps to use despite and in spite of correctly in any sentence.
- Identify the surprising contrast. Think of two ideas that oppose each other. Example: “He was sick” vs “He went to work.”
- Decide which idea is the “background” fact. The background fact goes after despite/in spite of. Here, “being sick” is the background.
- Change the background fact into a noun or gerund. “He was sick” becomes “being sick” or “his sickness.”
- Place the phrase at the start or middle of the sentence. Start: Despite being sick, he went to work. Middle: He went to work despite being sick.
- If you must keep a full clause, add “the fact that.” Example: In spite of the fact that he was sick, he went to work.
Examples in Sentences
- Despite the heavy rain, the match continued.
- She passed the exam in spite of her lack of preparation.
- Despite feeling nervous, he gave a great presentation.
- They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
- Despite being rich, he lives a very simple life.
- We arrived on time in spite of the traffic jam.
- Despite the fact that she was tired, she finished the report.
- He accepted the job in spite of the low salary.
- Despite his age, he runs faster than most young people.
- She smiled in spite of her sadness.
- Despite the warnings, they went hiking alone.
- The project succeeded in spite of many difficulties.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Despite of the rain, we went out. — ✅ Despite the rain, we went out. (Never use “of” after “despite.”)
- ❌ In spite the rain, we went out. — ✅ In spite of the rain, we went out. (Always use “of” after “in spite.”)
- ❌ Despite it was raining, we went out. — ✅ Despite the rain, we went out. OR Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out. (Use a noun/gerund, not a full clause.)
- ❌ Despite being tired, but he worked late. — ✅ Despite being tired, he worked late. (Do not add “but” after despite.)
- ❌ In spite of he was sick, he attended class. — ✅ In spite of being sick, he attended class. OR In spite of the fact that he was sick, he attended class. (No subject+verb directly after “in spite of.”)
Quick Summary
- Despite and in spite of are prepositions meaning “even though.”
- They are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form).
- Use “the fact that” + full clause if you need a complete sentence.
- Never say “despite of” or “in spite” alone.
- Do not combine with “but” or “although” in the same clause.
- “Despite” is slightly more formal; “in spite of” is more common in speech.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with despite, in spite of, or the correct phrase (add “of” or “the fact that” where needed).
- __________ the bad weather, the flight took off on time.
- She was happy __________ losing her job.
- __________ he was late, no one complained.
- They went swimming __________ the cold water.
- __________ the fact that she was scared, she spoke bravely.
Answers:
- Despite / In spite of
- despite / in spite of
- Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that
- despite / in spite of
- Despite / In spite of
Conclusion
Now you have the tools to use despite and in spite of with confidence. Remember the core rule: both take a noun or gerund, and if you need a full clause, add “the fact that.” Practice these patterns daily, and soon they will feel completely natural. Keep reading EnglishGrammarZone.com for more clear, practical grammar guides.
FAQ
1. Is “despite” more formal than “in spite of”?
Yes, despite is generally considered slightly more formal and is more common in academic writing and professional reports. In spite of is perfectly correct and appears frequently in everyday conversation. In most situations, you can use either without changing the meaning.
2. Can I use “despite” with a full sentence?
No, despite cannot be directly followed by a subject + verb. However, you can use despite the fact that + full sentence. For example: Despite the fact that I was tired, I finished my homework. This structure is correct and very common in formal English.
3. What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?
Although is a conjunction and is followed by a full clause (subject + verb). For example: Although it was raining, we went out. Despite is a preposition and is followed by a noun or gerund: Despite the rain, we went out. Both express contrast, but their grammar patterns are completely different.
4. Why do I sometimes see “in spite of” at the end of a sentence?
That is perfectly fine. You can place in spite of (or despite) at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle or at the end. For example: He went to work in spite of feeling ill. or In spite of feeling ill, he went to work. Both are correct; choose whichever sounds more natural for your sentence.