despite the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite the fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a subordinate clause. For example, "Despite the fact that I was tired, I stayed up late to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that despite the fact the Courteneers are playing!

The Guardian - Music

This despite the fact that is increasingly popular with riders.

The New Yorker

Despite the fact that everything is just a Walgreens now?

The New Yorker

Despite the fact he wrote poetry about his penis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite the fact that that was a lie.

The New Yorker

That is despite the fact that a precedent exists.

The Economist

This despite the fact that Lu had never beaten Roddick.

The New York Times - Sports

She remains committed despite the fact that she may not live to see the project's fruition.

The New York Times

I could picture it, despite the fact that so much was different.

The New York Times

Despite the fact that engineering has shaped our world, many people are unaware of its impact.

The Guardian - Tech

This, despite the fact that 90% of the letters he receives are "stock standard".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the fact" to clearly signal a contrast or concession. Ensure the clause following "despite the fact" presents information that seems to contradict or be unexpected given the main clause.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the fact" when a simple causal connector like "because" or "since" is more appropriate. "Despite the fact" indicates a contrast, not a cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the fact" functions as a subordinating conjunction. It introduces a subordinate clause expressing concession or contrast, indicating that the information in the main clause is unexpected or surprising given the information in the subordinate clause. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite the fact" is a versatile subordinating conjunction used to express contrast or concession. It functions to introduce a clause that presents information seemingly at odds with the main clause's point. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. The phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science", as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the fact that

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering a slightly more formal tone.

regardless of the fact that

This alternative emphasizes that something happens without being affected by the fact.

irrespective of the fact that

Similar to "regardless of", this alternative highlights the lack of consideration given to the fact.

notwithstanding the fact that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the lack of impact from the stated fact.

even though

This alternative provides a more concise and informal way to express the same meaning.

although

This alternative is a simpler and more direct synonym, suitable for various contexts.

though

This alternative is a more informal and brief version of "although".

despite

This is a shorter, more direct preposition that introduces a noun phrase rather than a clause.

in any case

This alternative indicates that something is true or will happen no matter what the preceding fact is.

with all that said

This alternative is often used to introduce a contrasting point after acknowledging previous information.

FAQs

How to use "despite the fact" in a sentence?

Use "despite the fact" to introduce a clause that presents a contrast to the main idea of the sentence. For example, "Despite the fact that it was raining, we decided to go for a walk".

What can I say instead of "despite the fact"?

You can use alternatives like "in spite of the fact", "even though", or "although" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "despite the fact" or "in spite of the fact"?

Both "despite the fact" and "in spite of the fact" are correct and have virtually the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference.

What's the difference between "despite" and "despite the fact"?

"Despite" is a preposition that is followed by a noun or noun phrase, while "despite the fact" introduces a full clause. For example, "Despite the rain..." vs. "Despite the fact that it was raining...".