despite appearances

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite appearances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a contrast between what is expected and reality. For example: "Despite appearances, the lawnmower is still functional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite appearances, however, he is no socialist.

The Economist

Despite appearances, it is light and delicate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite appearances to the contrary, there are Republicans in Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

Despite appearances, this was not some surreptitious animal-smuggling ring.

The New York Times

Despite appearances, walking is harder than playing pinball.

The Economist

Despite appearances, some Italians will compete in this Giro.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe, despite appearances, a political reckoning is underway.

The Economist

Despite appearances, the same cannot be said of Wigan.

The Guardian - Sport

This is not, despite appearances, a pleasure trip.

The New Yorker

But despite appearances, the water quality is generally good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the living, despite appearances, is not always easy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite appearances" to introduce a surprising or unexpected truth that contradicts initial impressions. This helps to create intrigue and encourage readers to consider a different perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "despite appearances" when there is no actual discrepancy between how something seems and how it is. Ensure that a genuine contrast exists to maintain the phrase's intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite appearances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by introducing a contrasting perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It sets up a contrast between how something seems initially and its true nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite appearances" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrast between how something seems and its actual reality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and broadly applicable. It commonly appears in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, signaling an unexpected truth and prompting readers to reconsider initial assumptions. When using this phrase, ensure there's a genuine discrepancy to avoid misuse, and consider alternatives like "contrary to what one might think" for subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of what it seems

Highlights a situation that differs from its outward presentation.

though it may appear

Points out a discrepancy between initial observation and actual fact.

contrary to what one might think

Emphasizes a contrast with initial assumptions or expectations.

belies its looks

Implies that the true nature of something is hidden or contradicted by its outward appearance.

even though it looks like

Suggests a divergence between visual impressions and the true nature of something.

notwithstanding the presentation

Indicates that the true state of affairs is different from the perceived image.

against all indications

Stresses that something is true even when evidence suggests otherwise.

regardless of outward semblance

Focuses on disregarding superficial qualities to understand the underlying reality.

underneath the surface

Highlights what is not immediately visible or obvious.

on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting perspective or reality.

FAQs

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

Use "despite appearances" to highlight a contrast between what is seen or expected and the actual reality. For example, "Despite appearances, he is no socialist".

What are some alternatives to "despite appearances"?

You can use alternatives such as "contrary to what one might think", "in spite of what it seems", or "even though it looks like" to express a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to follow "despite appearances" with a comma?

Yes, when "despite appearances" introduces a clause, it is generally followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. For example, "Despite appearances, the search is still on".

What is the difference between "despite appearances" and "seemingly"?

"Despite appearances" emphasizes a contrast between the perceived view and reality, while "seemingly" simply indicates how something appears without necessarily implying a contradiction. For example, "seemingly impossible" just means it appears that way, while "despite appearances, it was easy" means it looked hard but was actually easy.