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

Introduction

Do you ever pause mid-sentence, unsure whether to write despite or in spite of? You are not alone. These two phrases are among the most confusing connectors in English, yet they are essential for expressing contrast and concession at the B1–B2 level. Understanding the subtle differences—and the sentence patterns that follow them—will instantly make your writing sound more natural and professional.

What Is Contrast and Concession?

In grammar, contrast shows a difference between two ideas (e.g., “He is rich, but he is unhappy”). Concession is a specific type of contrast where you admit a fact that seems to oppose your main point (e.g., “Although it was raining, we went for a walk”). Both despite and in spite of are prepositions used to introduce a concession. They mean exactly the same thing: “without being affected by” or “even though.” The only difference is style—in spite of is slightly more formal and wordy, while despite is more common in modern English.

Rules

1. Both are prepositions, not conjunctions. This means they must be followed by a noun, a pronoun, a gerund (-ing form), or a noun phrase—never by a full clause with a subject and verb.
2. They are interchangeable in meaning. You can swap one for the other in any sentence without changing the meaning.
3. Do not use “of” after “despite.” The phrase is “despite,” not “despite of.” This is a very common ESL error.
4. Use “the fact that” to connect to a full clause. If you need a subject + verb, add “the fact that” after either phrase (e.g., “Despite the fact that he was tired…”).
5. Punctuation matters. When the phrase starts the sentence, use a comma after it. When it appears mid-sentence, no comma is needed.
6. Choose based on formality. “In spite of” is more common in formal writing and speeches; “despite” is more neutral and works in both formal and informal contexts.

How to Use It

Follow this simple three-step process to use despite and in spite of correctly.

Step 1: Identify what you want to contrast

Decide what fact you are conceding. For example, “the rain” or “being tired.”

Step 2: Choose your pattern

You have three main patterns:

• Despite + noun: Despite the rain, we played football.
• Despite + gerund (-ing): Despite feeling tired, she finished her homework.
• Despite + the fact that + full clause: Despite the fact that it was raining, we played football.

For in spite of, simply replace “despite” with “in spite of” in the same patterns: “In spite of the rain…” or “In spite of the fact that…”

Step 3: Place it correctly in the sentence

You can put the phrase at the beginning (add a comma) or in the middle (no comma). For example:

• Beginning: Despite the noise, he slept well.
• Middle: He slept well despite the noise.

Examples in Sentences

Here are 12 natural sentences. Notice how the grammar point is bolded.

• Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
• She passed the exam in spite of studying only one night.
• Despite being a beginner, he won the chess tournament.
• They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the cold wind.
• Despite the fact that he was injured, he finished the marathon.
• I trust her in spite of her past mistakes.
• Despite having a small budget, the film was a huge success.
• The company grew in spite of the economic crisis.
• Despite all our warnings, he invested in the risky scheme.
• She remained calm in spite of the chaos around her.
• Despite the lack of evidence, the jury found him guilty.
• We went hiking in spite of the forecast for thunderstorms.

Common Mistakes

Here are the top five errors ESL learners make with these phrases—and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using “despite of”

❌ Despite of the rain, we went out.

✅ Despite the rain, we went out.

Explanation: “Despite” never takes “of.” Only “in spite of” includes the word “of.”

Mistake 2: Using a full clause after “despite” without “the fact that”

❌ Despite he was tired, he kept working.

✅ Despite being tired, he kept working. OR Despite the fact that he was tired, he kept working.

Explanation: Prepositions cannot be followed by a subject + verb. Use a gerund or add “the fact that.”

Mistake 3: Adding “of” to “in spite” incorrectly

❌ In spite that it was late, she called him.

✅ In spite of the fact that it was late, she called him.

Explanation: “In spite of” needs a noun or “the fact that” before a clause.

Mistake 4: Confusing “despite” with “although”

❌ Although the rain, we played.

✅ Despite the rain, we played. (Although + clause: Although it rained, we played.)

Explanation: “Although” is a conjunction and requires a full clause. “Despite” is a preposition and takes a noun/gerund.

Mistake 5: Forgetting the comma when starting a sentence

❌ Despite the delay we left.

✅ Despite the delay, we left.

Explanation: When the phrase opens the sentence, use a comma to separate it from the main clause.

Quick Summary

• Despite and in spite of are synonyms—use them interchangeably.
• Both are prepositions; they take a noun, gerund, or “the fact that” + clause.
• Never say “despite of.”
• Use a comma when the phrase starts the sentence.
• For formal writing, “in spite of” is more common; “despite” is more neutral.
• If you need a full clause, add “the fact that” after either phrase.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with either despite, in spite of, or the correct form (including “the fact that”). Answers are below.

1. __________ the high price, the restaurant was full every night.
2. She went to work __________ feeling very sick.
3. __________ he was the youngest player, he scored the winning goal.
4. We missed the flight __________ of the traffic jam.
5. __________ being late, he didn’t apologize.

Answers

1. Despite (or In spite of) the high price, the restaurant was full every night.
2. She went to work despite (or in spite of) feeling very sick.
3. Despite the fact that (or In spite of the fact that) he was the youngest player, he scored the winning goal.
4. We missed the flight in spite of the traffic jam. (Note: “in spite of” is fixed; “despite” is also correct here.)
5. Despite (or In spite of) being late, he didn’t apologize.

Conclusion

Mastering despite and in spite of is a small change that makes a big difference in your English fluency. Remember the golden rule: they are prepositions, so follow them with a noun or gerund—or add “the fact that” for a full clause. With practice, you will use them naturally in both formal essays and casual conversations.

FAQ

1. Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” in informal writing?

Yes, absolutely. Despite is very common in casual speech and writing. In spite of is slightly more formal, but it is still perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. The key is to avoid using them in extremely short, simple sentences where “but” or “although” would sound more natural.

2. What is the difference between “despite” and “although”?

The main difference is grammatical. Despite is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (e.g., “despite the rain”). Although is a conjunction, so it is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb (e.g., “although it rained”). You cannot use them interchangeably without changing the sentence structure.

3. Is “despite of” ever correct?

No. In standard English, “despite of” is always incorrect. The only correct forms are “despite” (no “of”) and “in spite of” (with “of”). Some learners make this mistake because “in spite of” sounds similar, but they are separate fixed phrases.

4. How do I use “despite” with a full sentence (subject + verb)?

You cannot put a full sentence directly after “despite.” Instead, add the phrase “the fact that” after it. For example: “Despite the fact that he was tired, he worked.” This pattern is a bit formal, so in casual speech, you might prefer to use “although” or “even though” instead: “Although he was tired, he worked.”