but despite

USAGE SUMMARY

'but despite' is a grammatically correct part of a sentence and is commonly used in written English.
It is a conjunctive adverb used to connect two different ideas or thoughts, typically contrasting them in some way. Example: Despite his best efforts, he still failed the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But despite being controversial CBAs are popular.

The Economist

But despite that they were always applied.

The New York Times - Sports

But, despite everything, this is an Infiniti.

Independent

But, despite these formidable barriers, he prevailed.

The Guardian

But despite that threat, Baghi seems unconcerned.

The New York Times - Magazine

But despite that the fighting has continued.

The New York Times

But despite these flaws, Hearthstone still appeals.

The Guardian - Tech

Good things occur, but despite of it.

The Guardian - Books

But despite being wasted, he is smiling.

The New York Times - Arts

But despite such efforts, the voyage continues.

The Guardian

But despite poor public perception, outsourcing works.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but despite", ensure that the two clauses it connects are clearly related, and that the contrast is logical and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "but" in conjunction with other similar conjunctions within the same phrase. For example, do not use "but however" or "but nevertheless", as these are redundant. Stick to "however" or "nevertheless" for clearer writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but despite" functions as a conjunctive phrase, connecting two clauses that present a contrast. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to introduce a statement that seems surprising or unexpected in light of what was previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but despite" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a contrasting element in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used to highlight unexpected outcomes or situations. While alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" exist, "but despite" offers a more emphatic contrast. It's prevalent in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure that the contrast is clear and impactful, and avoid redundant conjunctions for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of this

A longer phrase with the same meaning as "but despite".

even though

Introduces a clause of concession.

however

A simple conjunction that introduces a contrasting statement.

yet

A simple conjunction expressing contrast.

nevertheless

A more formal synonym for 'however', indicating a contrast.

nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', but may imply a slightly weaker contrast.

notwithstanding

A formal term meaning 'despite'.

even so

Indicates that something is true despite what has just been said.

still

Indicates that something continues to be true despite a difficulty.

regardless

Indicates that something is not affected by something else.

FAQs

How can I use "but despite" in a sentence?

"But despite" is used to introduce a contrasting element following an initial statement. For example, "The team faced several setbacks, but despite these challenges, they managed to win the championship."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "but despite"?

Alternatives to "but despite" include "however", "nevertheless", "in spite of", or "even though".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but despite"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is acceptable, using "but despite" to begin a sentence can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally better to place it within the sentence to connect contrasting ideas more smoothly.

What is the difference between "despite" and "but despite"?

"Despite" introduces a contrasting fact or situation, whereas "but despite" combines "but" (indicating contrast) with "despite" for added emphasis. Using "but despite" can highlight a more unexpected or surprising contrast.