despite fighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite fighting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is true regardless of the act of fighting or conflict. Example: "Despite fighting for hours, they were unable to reach a resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Despite fighting for twelve rounds against Robson, Dyer entertained the crowd after the fight by playing his ukulele and singing popular songs.

Wikipedia

Despite fighting a lengthy, costly and very public legal battle, he served a two-year suspension.

The New York Times - Sports

Schneider was nearly constantly in motion through his final decade despite fighting off bone cancer and other maladies.

The New York Times

After their much-anticipated retaliation against Matt Cooke, the Bruins showed little passion despite fighting for a playoff berth.

The New York Times

"Despite fighting for the lower positions, I was absolutely on the limit for the whole race," Hamilton said.

The New York Times - Sports

The talks began despite fighting between rebels and pro-government tribesmen, which killed at least four tribal fighters and three rebels in the northern town of Huth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

And they seemed to consolidate control of Benghazi despite heavy fighting there against loyalist forces on Saturday.

The New York Times

Opening the case, prosecutor William Mousley QC told the Jury: "She was suffocated, despite her fighting for her life.

Independent

That was despite Southampton fighting from 2-0 down to draw at Chelsea in Adkins' final match as manager.

Independent

The settlement population has been growing at a rate of about 10,000 annually over the past three years, despite the fighting.

The New York Times

Despite the fighting nearby, preparations for the pullback are in full swing along Israel's border with Lebanon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite fighting", ensure the subsequent clause contrasts with the expectation set by the act of fighting. This creates a clear and logical relationship between the two parts of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "despite fighting" when the fighting is the direct cause of the subsequent event. "Despite" implies a contradiction, not a direct consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite fighting" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element to a main clause. Ludwig examples show how it sets up a situation where the expected result of fighting is subverted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite fighting" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast, highlighting that something occurs or is true even when there is conflict. As determined by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business. It's important to ensure the subsequent clause contrasts with the expectation created by the fighting. Common alternatives include "in spite of conflict" and "regardless of the battle". The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of conflict

Replaces "fighting" with a more general term for conflict, maintaining the original meaning.

regardless of the battle

Substitutes "fighting" with "battle", emphasizing a specific instance of combat or struggle.

notwithstanding the struggle

Uses a more formal tone to express the same relationship of contrast.

even with the conflict

Expresses the idea of something happening alongside the conflict.

although there was fighting

Introduces a clause to explicitly state the presence of conflict as a contrast.

even in the face of combat

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the conflict while highlighting the action.

irrespective of hostilities

Uses a more formal term for conflict, emphasizing a lack of consideration for it.

with all the combat

Indicates acknowledgement of presence of fight.

while struggling

Highlights the act of struggling against an obstacle or opponent.

amidst the confrontation

Replaces "fighting" with "confrontation", which implies a face-to-face encounter but might not involve physical fighting.

FAQs

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

Use "despite fighting" to show a contrast between an ongoing conflict and an unexpected outcome. For example, "Despite fighting injuries, she managed to win the competition."

What's a formal alternative to "despite fighting"?

A more formal alternative is "notwithstanding the conflict", which maintains a similar meaning but suits a more professional context.

Is there a difference between "despite fighting" and "in spite of fighting"?

The phrases "despite fighting" and "in spite of fighting" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.

Which is correct, "despite fighting" or "although there was fighting"?

Both "despite fighting" and "although there was fighting" are correct, but they structure the sentence differently. "Despite fighting" is a prepositional phrase, while "although there was fighting" is a subordinate clause. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of your sentence.