despite that

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate contrast between two statements or ideas, usually to emphasize the second statement. Example: I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining heavily outside, despite that I still had a great day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even despite that win in 1970.

The Guardian - Sport

Markets finished the week higher despite that.

Forbes

He's some horse to win despite that.

BBC

Despite that, I love you.

The New Yorker

"Despite that we will continue with determination".

The New York Times

Despite that, Mr Ramdev is dangerous politically.

Independent

Fourteen from the over, despite that wicket.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite that sour note, he signed, anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite that shift, French-German differences persist.

The New York Times

But despite that they were always applied.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite that, the two remain Facebook friends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite that" to smoothly introduce a contrasting point that might seem surprising or unexpected given the previous statement. It effectively signals a shift in focus while acknowledging the preceding information.

Common error

Avoid using "despite that" when the following statement is a logical consequence of the previous one. It's best used when the contrast is genuinely unexpected or noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

Despite that" acts as a concessive conjunction or transitional phrase. It introduces a statement that contrasts with or seems unexpected in light of the preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage. Examples show it linking contrasting ideas effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Despite that" is a versatile transitional phrase used to introduce a contrast or concession. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While it is similar to phrases like "in spite of that" or "nevertheless", it offers a slightly more concise and neutral tone. When using "despite that", ensure that the following statement truly presents an unexpected twist or contrasting element. To maintain readability and style, be mindful of the potential for abruptness when starting a sentence directly with this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of that

A direct synonym, with a slightly different emphasis.

regardless of that

Emphasizes that the preceding point is not a barrier or consideration.

even so

More concise and emphasizes the unexpected continuation or result.

nevertheless

A more formal alternative indicating a strong contrast.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless" but slightly less formal.

even with that

Highlights the presence of something challenging or negative.

for all that

Highlights the contrast even more strongly.

that being said

Signals a shift in perspective after acknowledging a previous point.

with that said

Similar to "that being said", indicating a transition to a different perspective.

yet

A concise conjunction that introduces a contrasting idea.

FAQs

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

Use "despite that" to connect two contrasting ideas, where the second idea seems surprising given the first. For example, "The weather was terrible; "despite that", we had a great time."

What are some alternatives to using "despite that"?

You can use alternatives like "nevertheless", "even so", or "in spite of that" depending on the context.

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

While they are very similar, "despite that" is often considered slightly more concise and less formal than "in spite of that". Both phrases serve to introduce a contrasting element.

Can I start a sentence with "despite that"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence directly with "despite that" can sometimes sound abrupt. It's often smoother to integrate it within the sentence or use a slightly different phrasing like "Even so" or "Nevertheless".