In Spite Of

What Does “In Spite Of” Mean?

The phrase “in spite of” is used to show contrast between two ideas — it indicates that something happened or is true even though there was a difficulty or obstacle.

It is very similar in meaning to “despite”, but slightly more formal and emphatic.

Grammar Rules

Structure:

• in spite of + noun / pronoun / gerund (verb + -ing)

Examples:

Important: Do not follow “in spite of” with a full clause (subject + verb). For that, use “although” or “even though”.

“In Spite Of” vs “Despite”

Both phrases are interchangeable in most contexts:

However, “in spite of” cannot be shortened — you must always use all three words.

Common Mistakes

1. Incorrect: In spite of it was raining, we left.
   Correct: In spite of the rain, we left.
2. Incorrect: In spite of that he was late.
   Correct: In spite of his being late (or better: Despite him being late).

Practice Exercise

Try rewriting these sentences using “in spite of”:

1. Although she was nervous, she gave a great speech.
2. Even though the restaurant was full, we got a table.

(Answers: 1. In spite of her nerves, she gave a great speech. 2. In spite of the restaurant being full, we got a table.)