despite being small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite being small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or an unexpected outcome related to size. Example: "Despite being small, the device packs a powerful punch in terms of performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He gets up on a large settee and "despite being small, occupies it entirely".

The Guardian - Books

Despite being small in stature, she was a commanding presence and a moral rock.

The New York Times

Despite being small, they're a vast improvement on most inbuilt speakers.

Independent

Portes, despite being small, stands out for its more adventurous take on Cretan dishes, including treats such as fennel pie.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite being small (~22 nt) microRNAs (miRNAs) profoundly influence tissue-specific gene expression by interacting with complementary target sequences in cellular messenger RNAs, impairing their translation or marking them for early destruction.

Molecular Therapy

The Feigen display of watercolors by Joseph Gandy (1771-1843), a fine, poetic landscapist as well as an architect, gives Romantic glimpses of the British countryside that are fresh and vivid despite being small.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Butler, despite being smaller and with center Matt Howard in foul trouble, grabbed 12 more rebounds than Kansas State.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet, of eight items, only two had been reduced in price; one cost the same; and five had actually gone up, despite being smaller.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An earthquake in 1989 that hit the city of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, caused about £4bn of damage at today's prices, said Musson, despite being smaller than the 1580 English quake.

The Guardian

REUTERS Despite Deal Setback, Evercore's Profit Jumps 29%  |  Evercore, which has won major advisory deals despite being smaller than many rivals, had a huge setback in 2011 — namely, the collapsed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA by AT&T.

The New York Times

Despite being smaller, these other faults can produce tremendous damage, because the earthquakes are typically closer to population centers – such as the moment magnitude 7.6 earthquake that damaged Guatemala City and killed about 23,000 in 1976, or the moment magnitude 7 earthquake in San Juan, Argentina, that killed about 10,000 in 1944.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite being small" to highlight a surprising or unexpected quality resulting from something's small size. It is useful when the small size would typically be considered a disadvantage.

Common error

Avoid using "despite being small" when the small size is the expected or logical reason for something. The phrase is most effective when it introduces an element of surprise or unexpected capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite being small" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrast or concession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to highlight that small size does not preclude other positive attributes or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite being small" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast, highlighting that something's small size doesn't prevent it from possessing other positive qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is found across various contexts, from News & Media to scientific writing, making it suitable for neutral and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing a genuine surprise or unexpected capability associated with the small size to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though it is small

Replaces "despite being" with "even though it is", offering a more straightforward conjunction.

although it is small

Similar to 'even though', "although" provides a direct contrast introduction.

in spite of its small size

Uses a noun phrase to emphasize the small size as a factor.

regardless of its small size

"Regardless of" suggests that the size does not affect the outcome.

notwithstanding its small size

A more formal alternative to "despite", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

despite its diminutive stature

Uses "diminutive stature" to replace "small", adding a touch of elegance.

even with its smallness

Emphasizes the quality of being small.

small as it is

Inverts the structure for emphasis on the smallness.

for all its smallness

Similar to 'despite' but with a slightly different emphasis on acknowledgment.

it is small, but

A simpler construction using 'but' to introduce the contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "despite being small" in a sentence?

Use "despite being small" to show a contrast where something's small size doesn't hinder its capabilities or positive attributes. For example, "Despite being small, the engine is powerful."

What's a more formal way to say "despite being small"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "notwithstanding its small size" or "in spite of its small size".

Is there a difference between "although it is small" and "despite being small"?

While similar, "although it is small" simply states a condition, while "despite being small" emphasizes a contrast or something unexpected given the small size.

What can I say instead of "despite being small" to emphasize the positive aspect?

To emphasize the positive aspect, consider using phrases like "surprisingly small" or "compact yet powerful".