despite our failings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite our failings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge shortcomings while emphasizing resilience or perseverance in a situation. Example: "Despite our failings, we continue to strive for improvement and success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They have never left us, despite our failings and abuses.

The New Yorker

And he illustrated a profound truth, that we are great not despite our failings, but including them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the greatest threat to our security and future would be to abandon our strict protection of civil liberties and our global position -- despite our many failings and flaws - as among the world's most transparent and principled nations.

Huffington Post

-- have ever imagined that the country would turn on itself, its most precious values, precisely the things that made it great, to the extent that in ten short years it would become a ruin of its past glories (yes, much of this was real, despite our national failings on race and class).

Huffington Post

These cooperative efforts of sharing resources and money were done by families in my community to ensure the future of the the next generation, despite our neighborhood's failing schools and lack of after-school programs and youth employment.

Vice

"And that's how life should be despite your failings or whatever.

Forbes

That is why on Saturday we made our "apology" to readers for failing, despite our best efforts, to inform them about the government's position.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet despite its failings, Pron's novel haunts me.

The New York Times - Books

Despite his failings, Nyerere was revered by progressive Africans.

The Guardian

But despite the failings of the state, every violent attack erodes the UN's credibility.

Vice

"Despite all its failings, it remains the best French newspaper".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite our failings", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the positive outcome or continued effort that exists in spite of those failings. For example, "Despite our failings, we achieved significant progress this year."

Common error

Avoid using "despite our failings" when the failings completely negate the possibility of success or progress. The phrase implies a degree of resilience or accomplishment alongside acknowledged shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite our failings" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrasting element. It acknowledges existing shortcomings while emphasizing a positive outcome or continued effort, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite our failings" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast, acknowledging shortcomings while emphasizing positive outcomes or continued efforts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, it implies a degree of resilience and achievement in the face of acknowledged flaws. Consider using synonyms like "in spite of our shortcomings" or "even with our weaknesses" to fine-tune the tone and formality of your writing. The phrase's effectiveness hinges on clearly demonstrating the positive aspect that exists alongside the acknowledged failings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite our flaws

A direct synonym replacement, using "flaws" for "failings", maintaining a very similar meaning and tone.

in spite of our shortcomings

Uses "shortcomings" as a substitute for "failings" and "in spite of" instead of "despite", maintaining a similar level of formality.

in spite of our mistakes

Similar to "in spite of our shortcomings" but with "mistakes" offering a clearer and simpler term.

notwithstanding our imperfections

Replaces "failings" with a more formal synonym, "imperfections", and "despite" with "notwithstanding" for a heightened level of formality.

notwithstanding our errors

Similar to "notwithstanding our imperfections" but using "errors" for a slightly different nuance.

regardless of our deficiencies

Substitutes "failings" with "deficiencies", adding a more technical or analytical feel and using "regardless of" in place of "despite".

even with our weaknesses

Replaces "failings" with "weaknesses", offering a slightly less accusatory tone, and uses "even with" instead of "despite".

even considering our limitations

Emphasizes restrictions or boundaries more than moral failings.

with all our faults

Offers a more informal and self-aware tone, using "faults" instead of "failings" and "with all" instead of "despite".

our imperfections aside

Concise and less direct, emphasizing that imperfections are acknowledged but not the primary focus.

FAQs

How can I use "despite our failings" in a sentence?

You can use "despite our failings" to acknowledge shortcomings while highlighting a positive outcome or continued effort. For example, "Despite our failings, we managed to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "despite our failings"?

You can use alternatives like "in spite of our shortcomings", "even with our weaknesses", or "regardless of our deficiencies" depending on the specific context.

Is "despite our failings" formal or informal?

"Despite our failings" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding our imperfections" may be preferable in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "despite our failings" and "because of our failings"?

"Despite our failings" indicates that something positive happened in spite of the shortcomings, while "because of our failings" implies that the shortcomings directly caused a particular outcome, which is usually negative. The phrases have opposite meanings.