despite knowing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'despite knowing that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has knowledge of a particular situation, but chooses to act in a certain way anyway. For example, "Despite knowing that his actions were wrong, he chose to proceed anyway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, naturally, despite knowing that Kids Company was financially screwed, you gave them £4.265m.

The Guardian

Despite knowing that true illiteracy exists, I was still shocked to come upon it in real life.

The New York Times

He felt as if he had been excommunicated, Crocetta said, despite knowing that excommunication can come only from the Vatican.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Mets decided to pick up that option despite knowing that Alou had become a physical risk.

The New York Times - Sports

Lord (South), despite knowing that Rodwell (West) might have had as few as two diamonds, bid one spade.

The New York Times

It's like defending Green despite knowing that Automatic for the People came out a couple years later.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Despite knowing that Caesarian surgery could kill Ms Carder, the court ordered it, claiming that the fetus had independent legal rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can't seem to act in my own best interests, despite knowing that often my actions interrupt the fun I could be having.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The second suit also alleges that Gonsalves did all of this despite knowing that Greer was "a sexual assault survivor who suffered from PTSD".

The Guardian

Despite knowing that three trials had failed to prove its effectiveness on children, Glaxo published a report entitled "Positioning Paxil in the adolescent depression market – getting a headstart".

The Guardian - Business

It is a very strange thing to watch yourself ageing on the page, despite knowing that photographs are largely unrepresentative of a person's face.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite knowing that", ensure the clause following 'that' is a complete statement expressing a fact, not just a feeling or belief.

Common error

Avoid using "because" when you mean "despite knowing that". "Because" indicates a reason, while "despite knowing that" indicates a contrast. For example, don't say "He went outside because knowing it was raining"; say "He went outside "despite knowing that" it was raining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite knowing that" functions as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a contrast or concession. Ludwig examples show it connects a statement of awareness with an action or situation that seems contradictory given that awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite knowing that" is a versatile conjunction used to express a contrast between awareness and action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources and carries a neutral to formal tone. When using it, ensure you're highlighting a genuine contradiction between knowledge and behavior. Alternatives include "even though aware that" and "in spite of being aware that". Avoid confusing it with "because", which indicates a reason rather than a contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though aware that

Emphasizes concession and awareness, similar to "despite knowing that", but slightly more formal.

in spite of being aware that

Replaces 'despite' with 'in spite of', adding a layer of formality and emphasis on the contrast.

knowing full well that

Highlights the completeness of the knowledge, making the subsequent action seem more deliberate or surprising.

although conscious of the fact that

More formal and emphasizes awareness, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

with the understanding that

Implies acceptance of a condition or consequence, adding a sense of agreement or resignation.

regardless of the knowledge that

Stresses the lack of influence of the knowledge on the action, highlighting determination or defiance.

even with the realization that

Emphasizes the moment of understanding, suggesting a recent or impactful realization.

notwithstanding the fact that

Highly formal and legalistic, suitable for contracts or official documents.

despite being informed that

Highlights the act of informing, useful when the knowledge was explicitly conveyed by someone else.

knowing that all the same

Informal and emphasizes the action taken despite awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "despite knowing that" in a sentence?

Use "despite knowing that" to show a contrast between someone's awareness of a fact and their subsequent action. For instance, "Despite knowing that the road was icy, he drove at high speed".

What are some alternatives to "despite knowing that"?

You can use alternatives such as "even though aware that", "in spite of being aware that", or "knowing full well that", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "despite knowing that" and "because knowing that"?

"Despite knowing that" indicates a contrast, implying an action occurs even with awareness of a conflicting fact. "Because knowing that" is grammatically incorrect; "because" introduces a reason, so it should be followed by the reason itself, not "knowing that".

Can "despite knowing that" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""despite knowing that"" is appropriate for formal writing, though you might consider more sophisticated synonyms like "notwithstanding the fact that" for added emphasis or formality.