despite its strength

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite its strength" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or occurs even though there is a strong opposing factor or quality. Example: "Despite its strength, the bridge was unable to withstand the severe storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The headiness is reminiscent of talc and grandmothers' bedrooms as I remember them, but despite its strength it is never overpowering.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite its strength in Europe, it is still weak in America.

The Economist

Despite its strength on the continent, South Africa is struggling to reduce poverty at home.

The New York Times

Despite its strength, the strong force does not manifest itself in the macroscopic universe because of its extremely limited range.

Britannica

Despite its strength, studies have shown that the CMV promoter is prone to silencing by methylation hampering the in vivo application of vectors containing this promoter.

Vaccine

The results prompted caution and surprise among political analysts, who noted that UKIP, despite its strength in the popular vote, remained a distant fourth in the number of council seats won.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Despite its strengths, it is debatable whether the extremely high price tag for a 284-page book that can be read in a single sitting (a feat made possible by the amount of wonderful photographs) is worth it.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

However, generating this data is a time-consuming and costly process and despite its strengths it also suffers from limitations such as high drop-out rates, high latency or Hawthorne effects.

EPJ Data Science

Constrained both by its size, the continuing difficulty of competing with leveraged private buyers for the prime assets it needs, and having chosen to primarily focus on Manhattan despite its strengths in the New York suburbs, Reckson was hard pressed to function on an equivalent basis with these behemoths.

Forbes

DESPITE its strengths, Southeast Asia poses political risks.

The New York Times

Some financial headaches are on the horizon for Ticketmaster, despite its strengths.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite its strength" to introduce a surprising contrast. It effectively sets up an expectation of effectiveness or resilience that is then subverted, adding depth to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "despite its strength" when the contrasting element isn't truly contradictory. Ensure the subsequent clause genuinely presents a limitation or unexpected outcome given the preceding strength.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite its strength" functions as a concessive prepositional phrase. It sets up a contrast or contradiction, indicating that something is true or happens even though a strong opposing factor exists. This is confirmed by Ludwig and many examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite its strength" is a grammatically sound concessive phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, creating a sense of surprise or unexpected limitation. While versatile, its use is more impactful when the contrast is genuine and notable. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly encountered in news, media, and scientific contexts. Remember to use it when you need to emphasize a contradiction, ensuring your writing is both precise and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of its power

Substitutes 'strength' with 'power', indicating capability; slightly more forceful.

notwithstanding its robustness

Replaces 'strength' with a synonym emphasizing resilience; more formal.

yet with all its force

Replaces 'strength' with 'force', highlighting physical or dynamic energy; slightly more dramatic.

even with its might

Uses 'might' instead of 'strength', suggesting great force or influence; somewhat literary.

despite its capabilities

Focuses on the potential of something, rather than realized strength; broader application.

regardless of its potency

Emphasizes the effectiveness of something, using 'potency'; suitable for technical contexts.

for all its intensity

Highlights the degree of something, using 'intensity'; best for extreme qualities.

with all its vigor

Substitutes 'strength' with 'vigor', suggesting active energy or healthy robustness; more suitable for describing living entities.

although it is so powerful

Breaks down the phrase into a more explicit concessive clause; less concise.

even though it's quite formidable

Rephrases using 'formidable' to emphasize the challenging or intimidating nature of something; more descriptive.

FAQs

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

Use "despite its strength" to introduce a contrasting element. For example, "Despite its strength, the old tree fell during the storm."

What phrases are similar to "despite its strength"?

Similar phrases include "in spite of its power", "notwithstanding its robustness", or "even with its might".

Is it correct to say "in spite of its strength" instead of "despite its strength"?

Yes, "in spite of its strength" is a valid alternative. Both phrases convey the same meaning and are grammatically correct.

When should I use "despite its strength" versus a simple "but"?

"Despite its strength" is more emphatic than a simple "but". Use it when you want to highlight a surprising or unexpected contrast. For instance, "The product was well-designed, but it failed in the market" is less impactful than "Despite its strength in design, the product failed in the market."