despite its size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite its size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is noteworthy or significant regardless of its small or large size. Example: "The device is incredibly powerful despite its size, making it a popular choice among tech enthusiasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Despite its size, it disappeared quickly.

The New York Times - Travel

Second, despite its size, it is quite heavy.

The Economist

Despite its size, it didn't pack much of a wallop.

The New York Times

Despite its size it is projected to cost less than £150 a year to heat.

The Guardian - Money

Despite its size it's also relatively easy to use one-handed and it's well made.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite its size, it is one of the most thinly populated Brazilian states.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite its size, it has produced some of the great cricketers.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite its size, it appears very dim when observed from Earth.

Wikipedia

Despite its size and rapid growth, it is perhaps the most sustainable city in the world.

Global health, science and practice

Despite its size, Dabiq has huge symbolic significance: it was a centerpiece of ISIS propaganda.

The New Yorker

It's a market that IBM, despite its size and breadth, hasn't really cracked.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite its size" to highlight surprising or unexpected qualities that contradict what one might assume based on physical dimensions or scale.

Common error

Avoid using "despite its size" when the size is directly and logically related to the characteristic you're describing. This phrase is most effective when the connection is unexpected or paradoxical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite its size" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or concession. It sets up an expectation based on the object's size, which is then contradicted by the subsequent information. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite its size" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, highlighting that an object's capabilities or characteristics are noteworthy regardless of its physical dimensions. Ludwig confirms its common and correct usage across diverse sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Its effective use relies on emphasizing the unexpected nature of the relationship between size and another attribute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notwithstanding its dimensions

Replaces "despite" with "notwithstanding" and "size" with a more formal "dimensions".

in spite of its dimensions

Uses "in spite of" as a substitute for "despite" and "dimensions" instead of "size".

even given its dimensions

Emphasizes consideration of the dimensions as a factor, using "even given".

regardless of its extent

Replaces "size" with "extent", focusing on the scope or range.

irrespective of its magnitude

Substitutes "size" with "magnitude", implying a greater scale.

although it is large

Presents a more direct contrast, focusing on the largeness itself.

small as it may be

Highlights the smallness and its unexpected consequence.

for all its smallness

Emphasizes the smallness as something potentially limiting, yet overcome.

considering its modest scale

Uses "modest scale" to emphasize the limited size.

while being relatively compact

Highlights compactness as a surprising or beneficial characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "despite its size" in a sentence?

Use "despite its size" to show a contrast between the physical dimensions of something and its qualities or capabilities. For example, "Despite its size, the phone has a powerful processor."

What are some alternatives to "despite its size"?

You can use alternatives such as "in spite of its size", "regardless of its size", or "notwithstanding its size" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The phrases "despite its size" and "in spite of its size" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them is often a matter of personal preference.

When should I use "despite its size"?

Use "despite its size" when you want to emphasize that a particular attribute or capability is surprising or unexpected given the physical dimensions of something. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.