despite the persistence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the persistence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something continues to exist or occur even in the face of challenges or obstacles. Example: "Despite the persistence of the rain, the outdoor event continued as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The years 1961 65 did not resemble the three previous ones, despite the persistence of radical labels and slogans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite the persistence of loafing, the recession is casting its shadow over some of the city's early release programs.

The New York Times

Physical medicine is one means employed to assist these patients to return to a comfortable and productive life, often despite the persistence of a medical problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since her return to the US in 2011, Knox has attempted to carve out a normal life despite the persistence of the paparazzi and the tortuous workings of the Italian courts.

The Guardian

For more than a decade, Mr. Wong's case has been stymied by legal setbacks, despite the persistence of the David Wong Support Committee, a group of activists who think that the case magnifies inequities in the criminal justice system.

The New York Times

Despite the persistence of insecurity and localized episodes of great violence, international humanitarian aid has succeeded since 2005 in avoiding famine and lowering mortality and malnutrition rates to pre-war levels.

The New York Times

But the bankers also had a more substantive demand: they want higher interest rates, despite the persistence of very high unemployment in the United States and Europe, because they say that low rates are feeding inflation.

The New York Times

Fall 2010-present: Despithethe persistence of low rates, politicians and pundits state — again, as a fact, not a hypothesis — that we're going to have a terrible crisis within 2 years if the deficit isn't slashed.

The New York Times

Yet unlike the United States, Brazil never passed Jim Crow segregation laws, and despite the persistence of racism here, many Brazilians take pride in having intermarried more than whites and blacks in the United States.

The New York Times

For this reason, the de facto system of rule that emerged during this period, despite the persistence of the central caliphate in Baghdad, has sometimes been referred to as the aʿyān-amīr system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since the 1970s these basic means have been supplemented and enhanced by psychological counseling, occupational therapy, and a variety of other treatments which may be used in concert to help the disabled person achieve the fullest possible life despite the persistence of medical problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite the persistence of", ensure that the sentence clearly contrasts the expected outcome with the actual situation. It emphasizes that something unexpected happens given the continued presence of a specific factor.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the persistence of" when there is no clear contrast or unexpected outcome. The phrase is meant to highlight a situation that defies expectations due to the ongoing presence of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the persistence of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrasting element. It sets up a situation where one might expect a certain outcome because of something that continues to exist, but that expectation is not met. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English and conveys a continued existence against challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite the persistence of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys that something occurs even when an opposing factor continues to exist. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting its suitability for formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure there is a clear contrast to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives like "even with the continuation of" or "regardless of the continued existence of" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite X's continuation

Slightly more concise, directly attributing continuation to something specific (X).

regardless of the continued existence of

Replaces "persistence" with "continued existence", making the phrase more explicit.

in spite of the ongoing presence of

Emphasizes the presence of something that is ongoing.

even with the continuation of

Replaces "despite" with "even with" and uses "continuation" instead of "persistence", slightly altering the tone.

notwithstanding the endurance of

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "despite" with "notwithstanding" and "persistence" with "endurance".

while X continues

Highlights the simultaneity of the persistence with another fact.

in the face of the continuation of

Emphasizes the challenge posed by the ongoing situation.

although X remains

A concise alternative highlighting that something remains unchanged (X).

with X still in effect

Focuses on the ongoing effect or influence of something (X).

even though X continues

Simplified structure focusing on the continuation of a specific element (X).

FAQs

How can I use "despite the persistence of" in a sentence?

Use "despite the persistence of" to show that something happens or is true even though something else continues to exist. For example, "Despite the persistence of the rain, the outdoor event continued as planned."

What are some alternatives to "despite the persistence of"?

You can use alternatives like "even with the continuation of", "regardless of the continued existence of", or "in spite of the ongoing presence of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "despite the persistence of" formal or informal?

"Despite the persistence of" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. While not overly casual, it maintains a level of professionalism appropriate for academic, news, and business writing.

What's the difference between "despite the persistence of" and "despite the existence of"?

"Despite the persistence of" emphasizes the ongoing nature of something, while "despite the existence of" simply acknowledges that something exists, without necessarily implying that it is continuous or ongoing. The former highlights endurance over time.