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

Introduction

Do you ever freeze when you need to say “although” but with a noun or gerund? You’re not alone. The words despite and in spite of are two of the most useful (and most confusing) prepositions in English for showing contrast and concession. Mastering them will instantly make your writing and speaking sound more advanced, natural, and precise. In this definitive guide, you’ll learn the exact rules, avoid the classic ESL traps, and practice with real-world examples.

What Is “Despite” and “In Spite Of”?

Both despite and in spite of are prepositions that mean “without being affected by” or “even though something happened.” They introduce a fact that is surprising or unexpected when compared to the main clause. For example: We went for a walk despite the rain. The rain is the obstacle, but the walk still happened.

The key difference is purely stylistic: despite is one word, while in spite of is three words. They are completely interchangeable in meaning. There is no difference in formality or correctness—choose whichever sounds better in your sentence. However, despite is slightly more common in modern writing because it’s shorter.

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. They cannot be followed by a full subject + verb clause (e.g., “despite he was tired” is wrong).
2. Never use “of” after “despite.” The phrase “despite of” is a common error. You only say “in spite of” with “of.”
3. Never drop the “of” in “in spite of.” Saying “in spite the rain” is incorrect. The “of” is essential.
4. Use “the fact that” to connect to a full clause. If you need to use a subject + verb after these prepositions, add “the fact that.” Example: Despite the fact that he was tired, he finished the race.
5. They are not the same as “although” or “though.” Although and though are conjunctions and take full clauses. Despite/in spite of take only noun forms. Compare: Although it rained (clause) vs. Despite the rain (noun).
6. Position flexibility. You can place them at the beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma) or in the middle. Both are correct.

How to Use It

Follow these simple steps to build perfect sentences with despite and in spite of.

Step 1: Identify the obstacle or surprising fact

Decide what the unexpected condition is. For example: “it was cold” or “the high price.”

Step 2: Convert it to a noun form

If you have a verb, change it to a gerund (e.g., “it was raining” → “the rain” or “raining”). If you have an adjective, change it to a noun (e.g., “it was expensive” → “the expense”). If you have a full clause, add “the fact that.”

Step 3: Place it before or after the main clause

Put despite or in spite of before the noun phrase. Add a comma if it starts the sentence.

Examples:

• Verb → Gerund: Despite feeling tired, she went to the gym.
• Noun: He passed the exam in spite of the difficult questions.
• Full clause: Despite the fact that he had no experience, he got the job.

Examples in Sentences

Here are 10+ natural sentences. The grammar point is bolded for clarity.

• Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
• She smiled in spite of her nervousness.
• Despite being a beginner, he played the piano beautifully.
• They enjoyed the picnic in spite of the sudden thunderstorm.
• Despite his wealth, he lives a very simple life.
• I couldn’t sleep in spite of taking a warm bath.
• Despite the fact that she was exhausted, she kept studying.
• He agreed to help in spite of having a busy schedule.
• Despite the warnings, the hikers continued up the mountain.
• The team won the match in spite of losing their best player.
• Despite all our efforts, the project failed.
• She speaks fluent French in spite of never living in France.

Common Mistakes

Here are the top 5 errors ESL learners make, with corrections.

• ❌ Despite of the rain, we played football.
  ✅ Despite the rain, we played football. (No “of” after despite)
• ❌ He came to class in spite his illness.
  ✅ He came to class in spite of his illness. (Always include “of”)
• ❌ Despite he was rich, he was unhappy.
  ✅ Despite being rich, he was unhappy. OR ✅ Despite the fact that he was rich, he was unhappy. (Use gerund or “the fact that”)
• ❌ In spite of it was cold, she wore a dress.
  ✅ In spite of the cold, she wore a dress. OR ✅ In spite of the fact that it was cold, she wore a dress.
• ❌ She passed despite of not studying.
  ✅ She passed despite not studying. (Drop “of”)

Quick Summary

• Despite and in spite of are synonyms—use either one.
• They are prepositions, so they take nouns, gerunds, or noun phrases.
• Never say “despite of” or “in spite” (missing “of”).
• For full clauses, add “the fact that”.
• Use a comma when they start the sentence.
• They are more concise than “although” in many cases.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with despite or in spite of (and add “the fact that” if needed). Answers are below.

1. ______ the noise, the baby slept peacefully.
2. He went to work ______ being sick.
3. ______ she was scared, she gave a great speech. (Hint: use “the fact that”)
4. They got married ______ their parents’ objections.
5. ______ having no money, they traveled around the world.

Answers:

1. Despite / In spite of
2. Despite / In spite of
3. Despite the fact that / In spite of the fact that
4. Despite / In spite of
5. Despite / In spite of

Conclusion

You now have the complete toolkit to use despite and in spite of with confidence. Remember the golden rule: they are prepositions, not conjunctions—so always pair them with a noun or gerund. Practice using them in your daily writing, and soon they’ll feel as natural as “but” or “although.” Keep this guide handy for revision, and check back at EnglishGrammarZone.com for more advanced lessons.

FAQ

1. Is “despite” more formal than “in spite of”?

No, they are equal in formality. Both appear in academic writing, news articles, and casual conversation. The only practical difference is length—”despite” is shorter and often preferred in headlines or tight spaces, but neither is more correct or more formal.

2. Can I use “despite” and “in spite of” with “although” in the same sentence?

No, that would be redundant. You should choose one connector. For example, “Although it rained, we went out” is fine. “Despite the rain, we went out” is fine. But “Although despite the rain” is grammatically wrong and confusing. Pick one.

3. What is the difference between “despite” and “even though”?

“Even though” is a conjunction that introduces a full clause (subject + verb). “Despite” is a preposition that takes a noun or gerund. For example: “Even though she was tired” (clause) vs. “Despite being tired” (gerund). They express the same contrast, but the grammar structure is different.

4. Is it ever correct to say “in spite that”?

No, “in spite that” is incorrect. You must say “in spite of the fact that” if you need a clause. Alternatively, you can simply use “although” or “even though” for a shorter clause. Example: “In spite of the fact that he was late” = “Although he was late.” The second version is more natural.