Despite also

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Despite also" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly because "despite" already conveys a sense of contrast, and adding "also" can create confusion in the sentence structure. Example: "Despite also facing challenges, she managed to succeed." (This sentence is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite also pledging to protect their rights, migrants complain the opposite has happened.

The Guardian

Despite also being on the right, Law and Justice is an unlikely choice on personality grounds.

The Economist

Despite also being the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, she wasn't tech-savvy enough to avoid a similar mistake.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite also calling for a government of national unity, he has appointed his allies to all the key cabinet positions.

Independent

Despite also being known for iconic sci-fi movies such as Total Recall and Robocop, Verhoeven is keen to stay grounded from now on.

The Guardian - Film

Despite also suffering dementia, emphysema and deafness, Melly was back in the studio in March to record a new album, which had the provisional title Farewell Blues.

The Guardian

Despite also being ill, Ms. Furtado gives up the little food she has on many days so her mother does not skip meals.

The New York Times

Despite also currently being attached to a film called The Fiancé, about a woman who puts her wedding on hold, she also hasn't been put off marriage.

Independent

Despite also sharing a single language and religion, it is divided into more than 500 clans and sub-clans, who are notoriously fractious and competitive.

The Economist

Despite also having been publicly humiliated, and more than once, I felt liberated.

Huffington Post

Despite also losing these new founds friends, these actions will help Syaoran grow into a young man.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing contrast, ensure your sentence structure is clear and avoids unnecessary repetition of conjunctions or prepositions.

Common error

Avoid using "Despite also" because "despite" already implies a contrast. Adding "also" makes the phrase redundant and grammatically awkward. Use just "despite" or choose an alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Despite also" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause of concession or contrast. However, as noted by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically questionable, and clearer alternatives exist. While it attempts to highlight a contrasting situation, its structure is considered awkward.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "Despite also" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect and awkward. Its intended purpose is to introduce a contrasting element, but its structure is redundant and unclear. For improved clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "in spite of", "although", or "even though". While prevalent in News & Media and Science, its use should be avoided in formal writing to maintain precision and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In spite of

Replaces "despite" and "also" with a more concise prepositional phrase indicating contrast.

Even though

Introduces a contrasting clause, offering a more formal and grammatically sound alternative.

Although

Similar to "even though", but slightly more concise and widely accepted in formal writing.

Regardless of

Emphasizes that something happens irrespective of another factor, similar to "despite".

Notwithstanding

A more formal and less common way to express "despite".

Despite the fact that

A more verbose but grammatically correct version of "despite", focusing on the factual aspect.

With all that

An informal way to introduce a contrasting point, suggesting consideration of previous information.

Yet

A simple conjunction that can effectively introduce a contrasting idea.

However

A transitional word that indicates a contrast or qualification.

Still

Indicates that something is true in spite of something else.

FAQs

Is "Despite also" grammatically correct?

No, "Despite also" is generally considered grammatically awkward and redundant. Using just "despite" or alternatives like "in spite of", "although", or "even though" is preferable.

What's wrong with using "Despite also"?

The word "despite" already conveys the meaning of "in spite of" or "notwithstanding". Adding "also" is unnecessary and creates a clumsy construction. Simpler alternatives are better.

When can I use "Despite also"?

While you might encounter "Despite also" in some contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and precision.

What can I use instead of "Despite also"?

Several alternatives can replace "Despite also", including "in spite of", "although", "even though", or simply "despite", depending on the specific context.