Despite vs. In Spite of – Which is Correct?

Both despite and in spite of are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning of contrast or opposition. They are interchangeable and function as prepositions, introducing a phrase that states something unexpected given the preceding context. There is no significant difference in their usage or formality.

Despite or In Spite of – Which is Correct?

Both “despite” and “in spite of” are correct and convey identical meanings. They are prepositional phrases used to introduce a contrasting element, indicating that something happens or is true even though something else might suggest otherwise. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation, as they are fully interchangeable in most contexts.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The best trick to remember the difference (or lack thereof) is to think of them as synonyms with the same grammatical function. If you can substitute one for the other in a sentence without changing the meaning, then they are both correct. For example, “Despite the rain, we went for a walk” means the same as “In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.” The key is that “in spite of” requires three words, while “despite” is a single word.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Despite	Preposition	Without being affected by; in spite of.	Despite his efforts, he failed the exam.
In spite of	Prepositional phrase	Regardless of; even though.	In spite of the bad weather, the concert was a success.

How to Use Despite

Despite is a preposition that introduces a noun phrase or a gerund (-ing form of a verb). It means “without being affected by” or “regardless of.” It’s used to show a contrast between two elements in a sentence, where one element would typically prevent or hinder the other, but doesn’t.

Example 1: Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.

Example 2: She continued working, despite feeling unwell.

Example 3: Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.

Etymology of the word Despite

The word “despite” comes from the Old French “despit,” meaning “contempt” or “scorn,” which itself derived from the Latin “despectus,” the past participle of “despicere” (to look down on, despise). Over time, its meaning evolved from “contempt” to “in defiance of” and then to its current sense of “in spite of” or “notwithstanding,” losing its negative connotation related to scorn.

How to Use In Spite of

In spite of is a three-word prepositional phrase that functions identically to “despite.” It also introduces a noun phrase or a gerund, expressing a contrast where an expected outcome is defied. It carries the same meaning of “regardless of” or “even though.”

Example 1: In spite of her fear of heights, she went skydiving.

Example 2: They managed to finish the project in spite of numerous setbacks.

Example 3: In spite of being tired, he stayed up to finish his report.

Etymology of the word In Spite of

The phrase “in spite of” developed from the noun “spite,” which comes from the Old French “despit” (the same root as “despite”). “Spite” originally meant “contempt” or “malice.” The phrase “in spite of” literally meant “in contempt of” or “in defiance of” something. However, much like “despite,” its meaning evolved to simply indicate an obstacle or circumstance that does not prevent an action or outcome, losing its direct connection to “malice” in this particular phrase.

Related Concepts

Understanding these related grammatical concepts can help clarify the usage of “despite” and “in spite of” and similar contrasting expressions.

• Prepositions: Both “despite” and “in spite of” function as prepositions. Prepositions are words or phrases that link a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to other words in a sentence, often indicating relationships of time, place, direction, or, in this case, contrast.
• Conjunctions of Contrast: While “despite” and “in spite of” are prepositions, they serve a similar function to conjunctions of contrast like “although,” “even though,” and “though.” The key difference is that prepositions are followed by a noun phrase or gerund, whereas conjunctions are followed by a full clause (subject + verb).

Examples from Media and Literature

• “And despite her best efforts, she couldn’t suppress a small, hopeful smile.” – From a contemporary novel.
• “The city, in spite of its relentless pace, still held moments of surprising tranquility.” – From a travel documentary narration.
• “Despite the warnings, the explorers pressed on into the unknown territory.” – From a historical account.
• “His integrity remained unshaken, in spite of the immense pressure from his superiors.” – From a biography.
• “Despite being a common misconception, the earth is not flat.” – From a popular science article.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. We went out for a walk ______ the heavy rain.
2. ______ her shyness, she gave an excellent presentation.
3. He managed to finish the marathon ______ a knee injury.
4. ______ the high cost, many people choose to live in the city center.
5. They continued their journey ______ the rapidly falling snow.

Answer Key

1. despite / in spite of
2. Despite / In spite of
3. despite / in spite of
4. Despite / In spite of
5. despite / in spite of

Despite Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Notwithstanding	In spite of; although.
Regardless of	Without taking into account; despite.
For all	Despite; in spite of (often used to emphasize contrast).

In Spite of Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Despite	Without being affected by; in spite of.
Notwithstanding	In spite of; although.
Regardless of	Without taking into account; despite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “in spite of” more formal than “despite”?
No, there is no significant difference in formality between “despite” and “in spite of.” Both are commonly used in both formal and informal writing and speech.

Question 2: Can I use “despite of” or “in despite of”?
No, neither “despite of” nor “in despite of” is grammatically correct. “Despite” stands alone as a preposition, and the phrase is “in spite of,” not “in despite of.”

Question 3: How do “despite/in spite of” differ from “although/even though”?
“Despite” and “in spite of” are prepositions, followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund. “Although” and “even though” are conjunctions, followed by a full clause (a subject and a verb).

Conclusion

In conclusion, both “despite” and “in spite of” are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning of contrast or opposition. They are fully interchangeable and the choice between them often comes down to personal style or sentence flow. Remember that “despite” is a single word, while “in spite of” is a three-word phrase. Mastering their usage allows for precise and elegant expression of contrasting ideas.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, choose the one that sounds most natural in your sentence, or opt for “despite” if you prefer a more concise option.