In Spite vs Despite
These two expressions often confuse English learners because they are quite similar! Both “in spite of” and “despite” mean “despite” and are used to show contrast.
Differences Between In Spite of and Despite
Both words have the same meaning, but there is a small difference in structure and usage.
DESPITE
After despite, we do not use “of.”
IN SPITE OF
After in spite of, we must use “of.”
What do In Spite of and Despite have in common?
Both despite and in spite of can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or verb ending in -ing (gerund).
Noun Examples:
In spite of the heat, we went for a walk.
Even though it was hot, we went for a walk.
In spite of the rain, the game continued.
Even with the rain, the game continued.
Pronoun Examples:
In spite of everything, she kept smiling.
Even though everything was difficult, she kept smiling.
In spite of all the problems, she finished the project.
Even with all the problems, she finished the project.
Gerund Examples:
In spite of being late, she still made the meeting.
Even though she was late, she still made the meeting.
In spite of working hard, he didn’t get the promotion.
Even though he worked hard, he didn’t get the promotion.
Which word should we use? In spite of or despite?
The word despite is a little more formal, and in spite of is more casual. Use despite when you’re writing something formal, like a report or email at work. In spite of is better for casual conversations or informal writing. Both mean the same thing, so it really depends on the situation and how formal or casual you want to sound.
Conclusion
As you can see, these two phrases mean exactly the same, and the choice between in spite of and despite depends on your personal preference. Both are correct and commonly used!
