Despite and in spite of are common expressions used to show contrast between two ideas. They have the same meaning and can often be used interchangeably, but their sentence structure may confuse English learners. For example, “Despite the rain, we went outside” and “In spite of the rain, we went outside” communicate the same idea. This guide explains how to use both expressions correctly, with clear rules, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Answer
Despite and in spite of have the same meaning: “even though” or “regardless of.” Both are followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form. Despite is shorter and slightly more common in modern writing, while in spite of can sound more emphatic. Example: “Despite the rain, we went outside” and “In spite of the rain, we went outside.”
Why People Confuse Them
People confuse despite and in spite of because both express contrast.
Correct: “Despite the cost, we bought it.”
Correct: “In spite of the cost, we bought it.”
They also share the idea of spite, which can make the phrases look related. The key spelling difference is simple: in spite of includes of, but despite does not.
Wrong: “Despite of the cost, we bought it.”
Correct: “Despite the cost, we bought it.”
Also, in spite of is not a misspelling. The wrong form is inspite as one word.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Same basic contrast meaning | despite / in spite of | Both mean that something happened even with an obstacle. |
| Shorter wording | despite | It is one word and more concise. |
| Familiar longer phrase | in spite of | It can sound natural in set phrases. |
| Slightly more polished style | despite | It often feels cleaner in formal writing. |
| Common spelling error | despite | Do not write “despite of.” |
| Common spacing error | in spite of | Do not write “inspite.” |
| What follows | both | Use a noun, pronoun, gerund, wh-phrase, or “the fact that.” |
Meaning and Usage Difference
Despite is a preposition. It means without being prevented by or although something might have prevented it.
Correct: “Despite the snow, school stayed open.”
Correct: “Despite working late, she finished the report.”
In spite of is a prepositional phrase. It has the same basic contrast meaning.
Correct: “In spite of the snow, school stayed open.”
Correct: “In spite of working late, she finished the report.”
Both phrases can come before the main clause.
Correct: “Despite the snow, school stayed open.”
Correct: “In spite of the snow, school stayed open.”
They can also come after the main clause.
Correct: “School stayed open despite the snow.”
Correct: “School stayed open in spite of the snow.”
Compact comparison:
• Despite: one word, concise, slightly more polished.
• In spite of: three words, standard, sometimes more natural in familiar phrases.
• Both: show contrast.
• Both: can be followed by a noun, pronoun, gerund, wh-phrase, or “the fact that.”
• Neither: should be followed directly by a full subject-verb clause unless the wording is adjusted.
Tone, Context, and Formality
Despite is shorter and cleaner. It often sounds a little more formal because it is concise.
More concise: “Despite the evidence, he disagreed.”
In spite of is also standard. It can sound natural when the rhythm of the sentence needs a longer phrase.
Natural phrase: “In spite of everything, she stayed calm.”
Do not treat this as a hard formality rule. Both phrases work in essays, work emails, news-style writing, and everyday examples.
Correct: “Despite the delay, we finished on time.”
Correct: “In spite of the delay, we finished on time.”
The best choice often depends on sentence rhythm.
Which One Should You Use?
Use despite when you want a shorter and smoother sentence.
Correct: “Despite the warning, they continued.”
Correct: “Despite what happened, we moved forward.”
Use in spite of when the three-word phrase sounds more natural or familiar.
Correct: “In spite of everything, they continued.”
Correct: “In spite of all the problems, the event went well.”
Either phrase is correct when the structure is correct.
Do not avoid in spite of. It is not wrong or weak. Also, do not assume despite is always better. The stronger choice is the one that sounds natural in the sentence.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
The problem is usually structure, not meaning.
Wrong: “Despite of the rain, we left.”
Correct: “Despite the rain, we left.”
Wrong: “Inspite of the rain, we left.”
Correct: “In spite of the rain, we left.”
Wrong: “In spite the rain, we left.”
Correct: “In spite of the rain, we left.”
A direct that-clause after either phrase is usually not the best structure.
Wrong: “Despite that it was late, we stayed.”
Correct: “Despite the fact that it was late, we stayed.”
There is one useful exception. Despite that can work when that points back to a previous idea.
Correct: “The plan was risky. Despite that, we agreed.”
Here, that means “that fact” or “that situation.”
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Adding of after despite.
Wrong: “Despite of his age, he stayed active.”
Correct: “Despite his age, he stayed active.”
Mistake: Writing inspite as one word.
Wrong: “Inspite of his age, he stayed active.”
Correct: “In spite of his age, he stayed active.”
Mistake: Using a full clause after despite.
Wrong: “Despite he was tired, he kept working.”
Correct: “Although he was tired, he kept working.”
Correct: “Despite being tired, he kept working.”
Mistake: Using a full clause after in spite of.
Wrong: “In spite of he was tired, he kept working.”
Correct: “In spite of being tired, he kept working.”
Mistake: Forgetting the fact that before a full clause.
Wrong: “Despite that the road was closed, we arrived.”
Better: “Despite the fact that the road was closed, we arrived.”
Everyday Examples
“Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.”
“In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.”
“Despite feeling nervous, Maya gave the speech.”
“In spite of feeling nervous, Maya gave the speech.”
“Despite what they said, I trust her.”
“In spite of what they said, I trust her.”
“Despite the high price, we bought the tickets.”
“In spite of the high price, we bought the tickets.”
“Despite his injury, Marcus finished the game.”
“In spite of his injury, Marcus finished the game.”
“Despite the long flight, we felt excited.”
“In spite of the long flight, we felt excited.”
“Despite the disagreement, they stayed friends.”
“In spite of the disagreement, they stayed friends.”
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
• Despite: Rarely applies in modern English. Despite can appear historically as a verb meaning to treat with contempt or provoke, but that use is not common today.
• In spite of: Does not apply. In spite of is not a verb.
In this comparison, treat both as contrast phrases, not action words.
Noun
• Despite: Rarely applies in modern English. Despite can be a noun meaning contempt, malice, or defiance in older or literary use, but that is not the main modern use.
• In spite of: Does not apply as a noun phrase in this comparison. Spite alone is a noun, but in spite of works as a prepositional phrase.
Synonyms
• Despite: Closest plain alternatives include in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, and even with.
• In spite of: Closest plain alternatives include despite, notwithstanding, regardless of, and even with.
Words like although and even though are related in meaning, but they use a different sentence structure because they are followed by a subject and verb.
Example Sentences
• Despite: “Despite the noise, I slept well.”
• Despite: “Despite leaving early, we missed the train.”
• Despite: “Despite what happened, they stayed friends.”
• In spite of: “In spite of the noise, I slept well.”
• In spite of: “In spite of leaving early, we missed the train.”
• In spite of: “In spite of what happened, they stayed friends.”
Word History
• Despite: Despite is historically connected with ideas of contempt or defiance. In modern use, it mainly means “not prevented by.”
• In spite of: In spite of contains spite, but the modern phrase does not usually mean malice. It usually marks contrast or concession.
The history is interesting, but modern usage is simpler: both phrases show that something happened even with an obstacle.
Phrases Containing
• Despite: despite the fact that, despite this, despite that, despite oneself.
• In spite of: in spite of the fact that, in spite of this, in spite of that, in spite of oneself, in spite of everything.
Use the fact that when a full clause follows.
Correct: “Despite the fact that it was late, we stayed.”
Use despite that or in spite of that when that refers back to a previous idea.
Correct: “The plan was risky. Despite that, we agreed.”
FAQs
What is the main difference between despite and in spite of?
There is no major difference in meaning. Both expressions mean “even though” and introduce a contrast. The main difference is structure: despite is one word, while in spite of is a three-word phrase.
Are despite and in spite of interchangeable?
Yes, they are interchangeable in most sentences.
- Despite the rain, we went outside.
- In spite of the rain, we went outside.
Both sentences have the same meaning.
Is “despite of” grammatically correct?
No, despite of is incorrect in standard English. Use despite without “of” or use the complete phrase in spite of.
Incorrect: Despite of the traffic, we arrived early.
Correct: Despite the traffic, we arrived early.
Correct: In spite of the traffic, we arrived early.
Can despite and in spite of be followed by a noun?
Yes. Both can be followed by a noun or noun phrase.
- Despite the delay, the meeting continued.
- In spite of the bad weather, the flight departed.
Can I use a verb after despite or in spite of?
Yes, but the verb normally takes the -ing form.
- Despite feeling tired, she finished her work.
- In spite of working late, he woke up early.
Do not place a standard subject-verb clause directly after them.
Can despite be followed by “the fact that”?
Yes. Use despite the fact that when you need to introduce a complete clause.
- Despite the fact that he was nervous, he gave an excellent speech.
- In spite of the fact that the store was closing, they served us.
Is despite more formal than in spite of?
Both are acceptable in formal and informal English. However, despite is shorter and often sounds slightly more concise in professional or academic writing.
What is the difference between despite and although?
Despite is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund, while although is followed by a subject and verb.
- Despite the cold weather, we went walking.
- Although the weather was cold, we went walking.
Can despite appear at the end of a sentence?
Despite usually appears before the contrasting noun or phrase. It is uncommon and often unnatural at the end of a sentence. Place it near the information it introduces for clearer writing.
Do I need a comma after a despite phrase?
Use a comma when the despite phrase comes at the beginning of a sentence.
- Despite the heavy rain, the game continued.
A comma is usually unnecessary when the phrase appears later.
The game continued despite the heavy rain.
Conclusion
Despite and in spite of usually mean the same thing. Choose despite for a shorter, slightly more formal style. Choose in spite of when the three-word phrase sounds natural.
Correct: “Despite the problem, we continued.”
Correct: “In spite of the problem, we continued.”
For despite vs in spite of, focus less on meaning and more on structure. Both are correct when the words after them fit.
