despite the obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite the obstacles" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is happening or being done despite challenges or difficulties. You can use it in various contexts, such as discussing a person's actions, an event, or a situation. For example: - Despite the obstacles, she was determined to achieve her dreams. - The business managed to succeed despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic. - He continued to work hard despite the obstacles he faced in his personal life. - The team overcame many obstacles and still managed to win the championship. - Despite the obstacles, they persevered and reached the summit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

"Despite the obstacles, the situation isn't hopeless," Professor Ericson said.

The New York Times

Despite the obstacles, federal authorities say they are making progress.

The New York Times

Despite the obstacles, Greece has made substantial strides.

The New York Times

Despite the obstacles, she decided to try for college.

The New York Times

DESPITE the obstacles, Long Island is too good a market to overlook, Mr. Zuckerbrot said.

The New York Times

"Despite the obstacles the administration continues to put in the way of success".

The New York Times

Whipp became determined to find her biological father, despite the obstacles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite the obstacles, Dr. Jong Wook Lee, who ran the W.H.O.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Still, many physicians, regulators, market analysts and pharmaceutical executives agree that despite the obstacles, personalized medicine is inevitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite the obstacles", ensure that the sentence clearly states what was achieved or continued despite those difficulties. This provides context and highlights the significance of overcoming the challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the obstacles" when the obstacles are not significant or do not pose a genuine hindrance to the outcome. Ensure a real contrast exists to make the phrase meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the obstacles" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to express concession. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its role in highlighting achievements or progress made in the face of adversity. It sets up a contrast between challenges and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science & Research

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite the obstacles" is a very common and grammatically sound way to express that something has been achieved or continues to exist even when faced with difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to highlight resilience and success in challenging situations. Related phrases, such as "in spite of the difficulties", offer nuanced alternatives. When writing, ensure that the obstacles are genuine and that the contrast is clearly articulated. Mastering the use of this phrase enhances the writer's ability to convey impactful narratives of perseverance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of the difficulties

Focuses more directly on the inherent difficulty of the situation.

notwithstanding the challenges

Emphasizes a formal tone, highlighting the act of 'noting' the challenge but proceeding anyway.

even with the problems

Uses simpler language to express that something happens although problems exist.

regardless of the impediments

Highlights the irrelevance of impediments to the outcome.

irrespective of the barriers

Underscores the barriers' lack of influence on the final result.

challenges notwithstanding

Reverses the structure, placing emphasis on the challenges before stating their lack of impact.

even given the setbacks

Focuses on setbacks as specific instances of difficulty encountered.

against all odds

Highlights the improbability of success due to the strong opposition of circumstances.

despite everything

Simplifies the phrase to encompass all possible hindrances in a general manner.

with all that being said

Highlights a contrast between acknowledging difficulties and proceeding forward.

FAQs

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

Use "despite the obstacles" to show that something was achieved or continued even when facing difficulties. For example, "Despite the obstacles, the project was completed on time".

What are some alternatives to "despite the obstacles"?

You can use alternatives such as "in spite of the difficulties", "notwithstanding the challenges", or "even with the problems" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "despite" or "in spite of"?

"Despite" and "in spite of" are often interchangeable. However, "despite" is slightly more formal and concise. Both can be used with "the obstacles" to indicate overcoming challenges.

What part of speech is "despite the obstacles"?

"Despite the obstacles" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate concession or contrast. It shows that something happened even considering the difficulties.