despite his difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite his difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has overcome challenges or obstacles in a particular situation. Example: "Despite his difficulties, he managed to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Despite his difficulties with Cao, Vann quickly became General Harkins' favorite adviser.

The New Yorker

Despite his difficulties there — A.P. History was his one success — he got into Wesleyan, from which he graduated in 1987.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite his difficulties with the book, Mr. Kaufman had little problem adapting another work, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," the memoirs of the "Gong Show" host Chuck Barris.

The New York Times

The momentum from the earlier reforms continues, and despite his difficulties Mr Singh has been able to introduce a national rate of value-added tax, and pioneering public-private partnerships for road building.

The Economist

"The proof that he is king of relationships is that despite his difficulties, his role in the National Football League has been so critical that I, for one, choose to overlook those difficulties and embrace the friendship.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite his difficulties in the second part of the season, Giroud's return of one league goal every 152 minutes was the fourth best in the Premier League behind Sergio Agüero, Vardy and Harry Kane.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He continues to enjoy remarkable popular support despite his difficulty in implementing promises to create a civil society governed by the rule of law.

The New York Times

But despite his financial difficulties, Mr. DeCesare accomplished a tremendous amount.

The New York Times

Despite his physical difficulties, Mr. Power is brimming with ambitious ideas.

The New York Times

When I began working with Muhammad, I came to realise that, despite his speech difficulties, he had no intellectual deficits.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite his financial difficulties, he says the income will allow him to continue to operate the Folklore Centre in Stockholm.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite his difficulties", ensure that the sentence clearly highlights the positive outcome or achievement that occurred in spite of those difficulties. This emphasizes the resilience or success achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "despite his difficulties" when the difficulties were actually the direct cause of the outcome. This phrase implies that the outcome happened in spite of the difficulties, not because of them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite his difficulties" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating a contrast or concession. It sets up a situation where something unexpected or positive occurs despite the presence of challenges. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is both correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite his difficulties" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to highlight a positive outcome achieved in the face of challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing resilience and contrasting difficulties with a successful result. While applicable in various contexts, it frequently appears in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects that the outcome happened in spite of, not because of, the challenges. Alternatives like "in spite of his challenges" and "notwithstanding his challenges" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notwithstanding his challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges" and uses a more formal introductory term.

in spite of his hardships

Substitutes "difficulties" with "hardships", emphasizing the severity of the situation.

even with his struggles

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the challenges with the word "struggles".

regardless of his problems

Uses "problems" as a more general term for difficulties.

challenges notwithstanding

Condenses the original phrase while retaining the core meaning.

despite the obstacles he faced

Rephrases to highlight the act of facing obstacles.

even given his limitations

Focuses on inherent limitations rather than external difficulties.

with all his setbacks

Emphasizes the concept of setbacks encountered.

his impediments notwithstanding

Replaces "difficulties" with the more formal "impediments".

his trials and tribulations aside

Uses more dramatic language to refer to difficulties as "trials and tribulations".

FAQs

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

You can use "despite his difficulties" to show that someone achieved something positive even though they faced problems. For example, "Despite his difficulties, he managed to finish the marathon."

What are some alternatives to saying "despite his difficulties"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in spite of his challenges", "notwithstanding his challenges", or "regardless of his problems".

Is there a difference between "despite his difficulties" and "because of his difficulties"?

Yes, "despite his difficulties" means something happened in spite of the problems, while "because of his difficulties" means the problems caused something to happen. They have opposite meanings.

Can "despite his difficulties" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "despite his difficulties" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider "notwithstanding his challenges" or similar alternatives.