How do we use DESPITE and IN SPITE OF?
DESPITE and IN SPITE OF are both prepositional expressions.
We use both DESPITE and IN SPITE OF to express a contrast between two things.
Both are more common in writing than speaking. (DESPITE is more formal than IN SPITE OF).
DESPITE and IN SPITE OF are used interchangeably.
1. With a noun
He is still in school in spite of/despite his grades.
Kelly bought a big ice-cream cake in spite of/despite her weight problem.
2. With -ing
They looked very happy in spite of/ despite loosing the game.
She flew to Thailand in spite of/despite spending all the money in Paris.
NOTE: we do not use THAT CLAUSE after in spite of/despite, but we use IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT or DESPITE THE FACT THAT.
When my mom came back home, I was still watching TV, despite the fact that she asked me to wash the dishes.
P.S. IN SPITE OF = three separate words; we do not use OF after DESPITE.
I hope it’s clear now 🙂
