despite the cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something occurs or is true regardless of cold weather conditions. Example: "We decided to go for a hike despite the cold, as we were eager to enjoy the beautiful scenery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sports

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Despite the cold).

The New Yorker

My cheeks flushed despite the cold.

The Guardian - Travel

That evening, despite the cold, he went out to look.

The New Yorker

Despite the cold, the event organizers were in no hurry.

The New York Times - Arts

I returned home sweating, despite the cold, and exhausted.

The New Yorker

Winter in Melbourne, despite the cold, is a green time of year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She stood in her bare feet in flip-flops despite the cold.

The New Yorker

There are long lines at the bank machines despite the cold.

The Guardian

Despite the cold, Proctor told the Guardian she wanted her sons to witness the protest.

The Guardian

Play started on time, despite the cold and very strong winds.

The Guardian - Sport

Cruise said he was delighted to be back in London for the premiere despite the cold.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing between "despite the cold" and similar phrases; "notwithstanding the cold" might be more appropriate in formal writing, while "even though it was cold" is suitable for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "despite of the cold". The correct structure is "despite the cold" or "in spite of the cold". "Despite" should be followed directly by the condition it contrasts with.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the cold" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a condition that might be expected to prevent or alter the action. It serves to highlight a contrast, showing that something occurs or is true even when cold weather might suggest otherwise. Ludwig confirms its correct and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Lifestyle

10%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the cold" is a versatile phrase used to highlight a contrast between an expected deterrent (cold weather) and an actual occurrence. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news and media, but also in lifestyle and sports contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to use "despite the cold", not "despite of the cold". While alternatives like "in spite of the cold" and "notwithstanding the cold" exist, "despite the cold" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. This phrase is a strong choice when you want to express resilience or determination in the face of cold conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the cold weather

This alternative emphasizes the weather conditions, adding a layer of detail that "despite the cold" might lack.

notwithstanding the chilly conditions

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the conditions being considered.

even with the low temperature

This option specifies the temperature aspect directly.

regardless of the freezing temperatures

This alternative highlights the extreme nature of the cold.

cold notwithstanding

This option is a more concise and somewhat archaic way of expressing the same idea.

although it was freezing

This version uses a subordinate clause to convey the same meaning.

even if it was cold

This option presents the cold as a hypothetical condition.

in the face of the cold

This alternative adds a sense of confronting or overcoming the cold.

the cold notwithstanding

Similar to "cold notwithstanding", but with the definite article.

with the cold as it was

This is a less common, slightly more verbose way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the cold" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the cold" to show that something happened even though it was cold. For example, "Despite the cold, we went for a walk in the park".

What's a more formal alternative to "despite the cold"?

A more formal alternative to "despite the cold" could be "notwithstanding the cold", which carries a similar meaning but is typically used in more formal contexts.

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

The phrases "despite the cold" and "in spite of the cold" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What other phrases can be used to convey a similar meaning to "despite the cold"?

Other phrases you can use include "even with the cold", "regardless of the cold", or "although it was cold", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.