In spite of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In spite of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happens or is true despite a particular circumstance or obstacle. Example: "In spite of the rain, the event continued as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's more like "in spite of".

Huffington Post

In spite of everything.

The New Yorker

In spite of his policies.

The New York Times

In spite of Shicklgruber, friends,.

The New Yorker

In spite of himself, Keller smiled.

The New Yorker

In spite of chilblains, colds, and croup,.

The New Yorker

In spite of the facts.

The Guardian

In spite of that I went ahead.

Harvard University

In spite of Ṣāliḥ's concessions, protests continue.

Britannica

In spite of everything that followed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'm an in-spite-of-Hollywood director".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in spite of" to clearly indicate a contrast between an expected outcome and the actual result. It adds emphasis to the surprising or unexpected nature of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "in spite of" when you mean "because of". "In spite of" indicates a contrast, while "because of" indicates a cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In spite of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something occurs or is the case even though there might be reasons for it not to be. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It sets up a contrast, similar to examples found on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "In spite of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in various writing contexts, from formal news articles to academic papers. While alternatives like "despite" exist, "In spite of" offers a slightly more emphatic way to express contrast. Be mindful of the differences between "in spite of" and "because of" to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Despite

A more concise and commonly used synonym.

Despite the fact that

A more verbose version of "despite", explicitly stating a fact.

Notwithstanding

A more formal and literary alternative.

Regardless of

Emphasizes the lack of influence of a particular factor.

Even though

Introduces a contrasting clause.

Although

Similar to "even though", but slightly less emphatic.

In the face of

Highlights the challenging nature of the opposing force.

Even with

Highlights that something happened although there may have been hindrances.

With all that

An informal way to introduce a contrasting point.

For all that

Similar to "with all that", emphasizing a preceding condition.

FAQs

How can I use "In spite of" in a sentence?

You can use "In spite of" to show contrast or surprise. For example: "In spite of the rain, the event continued as planned."

What's the difference between "In spite of" and "despite"?

"In spite of" and "despite" are very similar in meaning. "Despite" is often considered more concise and is generally preferred in modern writing, but the meanings are interchangeable.

Can I use "In spite of" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "In spite of" can be used at the beginning of a sentence. For example: "In spite of the challenges, they succeeded."

What are some alternatives to saying "In spite of"?

You can use alternatives such as "regardless of", "notwithstanding", or "even though" to convey a similar meaning.