DESPITE vs. IN SPITE OF

Both “in spite of” and “despite” mean that something happens even though there is something that might prevent it. They are used to express a contrast between two ideas.

Structure

1. Despite
   • “Despite” is always followed directly by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (the -ing form of a verb).
   • Example:
     • Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
     • Despite her illness, she completed the marathon.
     • Despite studying hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
2. In Spite Of
   • “In spite of” is also followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund, but it is a phrase with three words.
   • Example:
     • In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
     • In spite of her illness, she completed the marathon.
     • In spite of studying hard, he didn’t pass the exam.

Key Points to Remember

• Length: “Despite” is shorter (one word) compared to “in spite of” (three words).
• Formality: Both can be used in formal and informal contexts, but “despite” may sound slightly more formal or concise in some cases.
• No ‘of’ after Despite: Never use “of” after “despite.” It’s always just “despite.”
  • Correct: Despite the cold weather.
  • Incorrect: Despite of the cold weather.
• Same meaning: Both expressions convey the same meaning and are interchangeable in most contexts.

Examples with Explanations

1. Despite
   • Despite the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
     • (We arrived on time even though there was heavy traffic.)
   • Despite being tired, she finished her homework.
     • (She finished her homework even though she was tired.)
2. In Spite Of
   • In spite of the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
     • (We arrived on time even though there was heavy traffic.)
   • In spite of being tired, she finished her homework.
     • (She finished her homework even though she was tired.)

Practice Exercise

Ask your students to rewrite sentences using “in spite of” and “despite”:

1. It was raining. We went out.
   • Despite the rain, we went out.
   • In spite of the rain, we went out.
2. He was ill. He went to work.
   • Despite his illness, he went to work.
   • In spite of his illness, he went to work.

Visual Aid

Create a simple chart or visual aid to illustrate the structure differences:

This visual aid can help students quickly grasp the differences in structure and usage.

Conclusion

By practicing these structures and understanding that “despite” and “in spite of” are interchangeable with slight differences in form, your students should be able to use both expressions correctly and confidently.