despite the similarity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'despite the similarity of' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce a point of contrast after two things or concepts have been noted to be similar. For example: "Despite the similarity of their cars, the two companies have chosen to focus on different target markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These three methods are not very similar by construction, despite the similarity of their performance.

BMC Genomics

Despite the similarity of their titles, my book is very different from Piketty's.

The Guardian - Business

The defendant counters by arguing that despite the similarity of Tenn.Code Ann.

Harvard University

Despite the similarity of their functions, each of the groups had its own technical name.

Britannica

Despite the similarity of metabolic flux patterns in different organisms, the underlying governing principles remain unclear.

Nature

Despite the similarity of the names, CSMA/CA defines a very different mode of operation.

Voice Over WLANS The Complete Guide

The implication is that Obama is unacceptably liberal, while Clinton, despite the similarity of her positions and voting record, is not.

The New Yorker

"Some folk are confused, but OpenCitations and the Initiative for Open Citations, despite the similarity of their names, are two distinct organizations.

Harvard University

Eleusinia, ancient Greek festival in honour of Demeter (the goddess of agriculture), unconnected with the Eleusinian Mysteries despite the similarity of names.

Britannica

These two factors, despite the similarity of their names, are distinguishable in terms of specific actions on tissues because they bind to and activate different receptors.

Britannica

Dutroux still seems to be attempting to manipulate: despite the similarity of the crimes, he is not the sly rustic bully Fred West was, nor the lucky pervert Ian Huntley, but an altogether cleverer man.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the similarity of" to introduce a surprising or unexpected contrast. It signals that the dissimilarity is noteworthy given the existing similarities.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the similarity of" when the similarity is already obvious or implied. Ensure the contrast you introduce is genuinely surprising given the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the similarity of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting element or exception. Ludwig examples showcase its usage to highlight differences even when resemblances are present, as also Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the similarity of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast, even when similarities exist. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts, offering a neutral tone suitable for various formal and informal settings. Use it to signal a surprising divergence given apparent resemblances. While widely applicable, ensure the contrast you introduce is indeed noteworthy. Consider synonyms like "notwithstanding their resemblance" or "even though they are alike" for stylistic variation. With "despite the similarity of", you can introduce a critical observation, highlighting the unexpected, as well as the difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of their likeness

A synonym that replaces "similarity" with "likeness" and "despite" with "in spite of".

notwithstanding their resemblance

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to express a contrast despite shared characteristics.

although they bear similarities

A common and slightly less formal way to express a contrast despite resemblances.

despite analogous aspects

This alternative uses a more formal vocabulary, substituting "similarity" with "analogous aspects".

even though they are alike

This option offers a more straightforward and less formal way to express the contrast.

though resemblances exist

A concise way to acknowledge similarities while introducing a contrasting element.

regardless of their common features

This phrase emphasizes the presence of shared traits but still introduces a contrasting point.

even with similar qualities

This option emphasizes the existence of shared qualities before presenting a contrast.

while acknowledging their shared attributes

This alternative highlights the recognition of shared qualities before presenting a contrast.

yet, they are comparable

A very synthetic phrase to indicate that despite similarities there are marked differences

FAQs

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

Use "despite the similarity of" to introduce a contrast after pointing out similarities. For example, "Despite the similarity of their structures, the two proteins have different functions."

What's a less formal alternative to "despite the similarity of"?

Alternatives include "even though they are alike" or "although they bear similarities". These options are more conversational.

Is it correct to use "in spite of the similarity of" instead of "despite the similarity of"?

Yes, "in spite of the similarity of" is a grammatically correct and semantically equivalent alternative to "despite the similarity of".

What is the difference between "despite the similarity of" and "because of the similarity of"?

"Despite the similarity of" indicates a contrast or unexpected outcome given the similarities, while "because of the similarity of" indicates that the similarity is the cause or reason for something.