despite already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is true even though something else has already happened or been established. Example: "Despite already having a full schedule, she agreed to take on another project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was rather fortunate to stumble on one despite already laying down so much.

The New York Times

He had managed to get the job despite already being struck off the nurses' register.

The Guardian

In America, Edison, the market leader, has not made a profit in a decade, despite already running 79 schools.

The Economist

Now she doesn't use any contraception at all, despite already having four children and not wanting any more.

The Guardian

The UK has just experienced one of the biggest such shifts, despite already spending less than the OECD average.

The Guardian

A fortnight ago my friend Zoe ran five kilometres for Cancer Research UK, despite already being undone with exhaustion from rallying round her mother who has terminal cancer.

Independent

She was disqualified after mentioning to the organizers that she is a transgender woman, despite already having revealed her birth gender in the online application form.

Independent

The president argued that a "mix of human and systemic failures" allowed Mr Abdulmutallab to board the plane despite already being on the radar of US intelligence agencies.

The Economist

The Bradford-based chain has agreed to wholesale ambient, fresh and frozen products to Amazon despite already operating its own website in partnership with Ocado.

The Guardian - Tech

What's even more disturbing is that the prosecution did this despite already convicting a drifter and small-time drug dealer, Rudy Guede, of the crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her rent was increased by $20 as soon as her fixed-term lease ended, despite already being more expensive than similar properties in the area.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite already", ensure the sentence clearly contrasts the expected outcome with the actual situation. This emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "despite already" when the "already" is redundant. If the context inherently implies a prior action, using just "despite" can often be more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite already" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrast or concession. It sets up a situation where something occurs or is the case even though something else has happened previously. As shown in Ludwig, it's accepted in diverse English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite already" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast. It's most frequently found in news and media, scientific and formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase effectively highlights an unexpected outcome in light of a prior action. While the phrase is very common, be aware of potential redundancy. Consider a better word when "already" does not add value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though previously

Replaces "despite" with "even though" and "already" with "previously", altering the sentence structure slightly while keeping the core meaning.

although previously

Similar to "even though previously", this alternative uses "although" to indicate a concession.

in spite of previously

Swaps "despite" for "in spite of", providing a more formal tone while retaining the original meaning.

regardless of previously

Emphasizes the lack of impact of the previous action, replacing "despite" with "regardless of" and "already" with "previously".

even with prior

Simplifies the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning of something happening despite a previous condition.

despite the prior

Simplifies the original phrase by removing "already" and using "the prior" to refer to the previous action or condition.

notwithstanding having

Offers a more formal and less common alternative, replacing "despite already" with a more complex structure.

yet having previously

Uses "yet" to introduce the contrast, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the situation given what has already occurred.

however, previously

Introduces a contrast using "however", highlighting the unexpected nature of the current situation in light of what has already happened.

still having before

Conveys a sense of continuation despite a prior condition, using "still" to emphasize the ongoing nature.

FAQs

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

Use "despite already" to introduce a situation that exists or occurs even though something else has previously happened or is true. For example: "Despite already having a full schedule, she agreed to take on another project."

What's a good alternative to using "despite already"?

Alternatives include "even though previously", "in spite of previously", or "regardless of previously". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to include "already" after "despite"?

No, using "already" is not always necessary. It adds emphasis to the prior state, but sometimes "despite" alone is sufficient if the prior state is clearly implied. Consider whether "despite" fully conveys your intended meaning.

What is the nuance between "despite" and "despite already"?

While both indicate a contrast, "despite already" emphasizes that the contrasting element occurs even with consideration of a pre-existing condition. Without "already", the focus is simply on the contrast, and "despite" works by itself.