despite obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is achieved or continues to happen regardless of challenges or difficulties faced. Example: "She completed the marathon despite obstacles such as injury and bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Despite obstacles, those who work with exotic animal rescues said they do so out of love.

The New York Times

Despite obstacles and expenses, more and more are enlisting in the effort.

The New York Times

The couple plight their troth, despite obstacles thrown in their way by a sexually jealous Mme Beck.

The Guardian - Books

Despite obstacles that include a historically tempestuous relationship between New York and New Jersey, the plan's boosters say there is an untapped market for nautical transit.

The New York Times

He also talked about his own position in the party, insisting he wanted to take "big radical reforming steps" despite obstacles in Westminster including his own backbenches.

The Guardian

Despite obstacles (and witnessing scenes of hideous colonial cruelty), Marlow completes his mission, and finds Kurtz — originally a fervent idealist — has reverted to savagery.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

So, yes — Julia and Simon need each other, despite the obstacles, despite the shape of death looming between them.

The New York Times - Books

Despite these obstacles, Finland quickly recovered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite these obstacles, I have forged ahead.

The New York Times - Health

Despite the obstacles, some players are determined to take courses.

The New York Times - Tech

Westchester has aggressively prosecuted gang-related violence, despite the obstacles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite obstacles" to succinctly convey resilience or persistence in the face of adversity. For example, "The project succeeded "despite obstacles" such as budget cuts and personnel changes."

Common error

Avoid using "despite of". The correct phrasing is simply "despite". For example, say "Despite the rain, they continued the hike" not "Despite of the rain, they continued the hike".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite obstacles" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action or outcome occurred even when faced with challenges. Ludwig AI shows that it is frequently used to highlight resilience or perseverance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite obstacles" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that highlights the perseverance or successful continuation of an action in the face of challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts. Its usage spans news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries, reflecting its versatility and broad applicability. To enhance clarity, avoid redundant prepositions and focus on the resilience conveyed by the phrase. Alternatives such as "in spite of difficulties" or "regardless of challenges" can be used for variety while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of difficulties

Replaces "despite" with "in spite of", maintaining the same meaning with a slight variation in phrasing.

regardless of challenges

Emphasizes the act of not being affected by challenges, rather than overcoming specific obstacles.

even with difficulties

Highlights the presence of difficulties while something progresses.

notwithstanding impediments

A more formal way of saying "despite obstacles", using sophisticated vocabulary.

in the face of adversity

Focuses on facing negative conditions and challenges head-on.

against all odds

Indicates that success was achieved when it seemed highly improbable.

challenges notwithstanding

Similar to "notwithstanding impediments" but slightly less formal.

withstanding setbacks

Highlights the act of resisting and overcoming setbacks.

undeterred by setbacks

Emphasizes the lack of discouragement despite encountering setbacks.

unfazed by difficulties

Stresses the calmness and lack of disturbance despite facing challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "despite obstacles" to show that something was achieved even though there were difficulties. For example: "The team completed the project on time, despite obstacles".

What's a more formal alternative to "despite obstacles"?

A more formal alternative is "notwithstanding impediments". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

How does "despite obstacles" differ from "because of obstacles"?

"Despite obstacles" indicates that something happened in spite of difficulties, while "because of obstacles" implies that the obstacles themselves caused something to happen. They have opposite meanings.

Can I use "in spite of obstacles" instead of "despite obstacles"?

Yes, "in spite of obstacles" is a synonymous and interchangeable with "despite obstacles". Both phrases convey the same meaning.