despite difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something happens in spite of hardships or obstacles. For example: "Despite difficulties, they managed to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Prison and Probation Service said that "despite difficulties there is good work going on at Onley".

BBC

Still, despite difficulties, rental projects continue to open.

The New York Times

Brooke says he wants to 'soldier on' despite difficulties".

The New York Times - Magazine

Putin said the peace process was progressing despite difficulties.

The Guardian

Despite difficulties this Court has previously adjudicated controversies concerning submerged land boundaries.

Cornell University

Holocaust Memorial Day today reminds me that my faith has remained firm, despite difficulties.

The Times

Frayn is close to his family despite difficulties over the years.

The Guardian - Books

But she says a lot more women are coming through now, despite difficulties.

The Guardian

But Mr. Tahl said he expected the stadium to be built, despite difficulties.

The New York Times

Despite difficulties, strangeness and uncertainties, these characters are swimmers pulled from the depths.

The New York Times - Books

Her caring and charitable spirit, her glamour and sparkle despite difficulties were an inspiration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite difficulties", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what was achieved or continued in spite of those difficulties. This provides context and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "but" or "however" immediately after a sentence beginning with "despite difficulties". The word "despite" already introduces a contrast, making an additional conjunction redundant and stylistically clumsy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite difficulties" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element. It modifies a clause by indicating that something occurs or is true even though challenges or problems exist. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite difficulties" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, acknowledging challenges while highlighting positive results. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. Its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and business contexts confirms its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid redundant conjunctions. Understanding its purpose and function allows for more effective communication, emphasizing resilience and achievement in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of challenges

Emphasizes the challenges faced, similar to "despite difficulties".

notwithstanding the problems

A more formal way of saying "despite the problems".

even with hardships

Highlights the presence of hardships during the process.

regardless of the setbacks

Focuses on setbacks as the obstacles.

in the face of adversity

More dramatic, emphasizing the adversity faced.

against all odds

Implies a lower probability of success due to the difficulties.

withstanding the trials

Emphasizes endurance and resilience.

overcoming obstacles

Focuses on the act of overcoming the obstacles.

though faced with struggles

Highlights the ongoing nature of the struggles.

defying the odds

Implies that the expected outcome was negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "despite difficulties" to show that something happened or someone succeeded even when faced with problems. For example, "Despite difficulties, they completed the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "despite difficulties"?

Some alternatives include "in spite of challenges", "notwithstanding the problems", or "even with hardships".

Is it grammatically correct to say "despite of difficulties"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "despite difficulties", without the "of". Using "despite of" is a common mistake.

What is the difference between "despite difficulties" and "although there were difficulties"?

"Despite difficulties" is more concise. "Although there were difficulties" is a clause that explains there were difficulties. They are very similar and can often be used interchangeably, but "despite difficulties" creates a more direct and impactful statement.