despite the times

USAGE SUMMARY

'despite the times' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happens or is true despite a situation or the current circumstances. For example: "Despite the times, my family still enjoys gathering together on Sundays for a big meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Despite the Times leaving the building, One Times Square remained a major focal point of Times Square due to its annual New Year's Eve "ball drop" festivities (the ball itself has remained atop the tower year-round since 2009), and the introduction of an electronic news ticker at street-level in 1928.

Wikipedia

Despite the Times' hand-wringing, dating is still alive and well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite the times, Germany is a presence with, among others, a mouth-watering Hocheimer Kirchenstück Trockenbeerenauslese 1934.

The New York Times

By the autumn of 2004 it was selling more than 260,000 despite the Times also seeing its sale boosted.

The Guardian

The first class you teach will always be special, despite the times when you have been left screaming in your store-cupboard shortly after home time.

The Guardian

As Wallace put it to McCaffery, the novelist's job was to give "CPR to those elements of what's human and magical that still live and glow despite the times' darkness".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Despite the time pressure, stucco is rewarding to work with.

The Guardian - Money

Despite the time pressure, the Sheldons enjoyed the hunt.

The New York Times

Despite the time warp, she said it was fun to watch.

The New York Times

"You know the feeling," he goes on, totally relaxed despite the time pressure.

The New York Times

But despite the time, Jones won the race over a strong field and said she was happy overall.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite the times", ensure the context clearly establishes which specific era or period you are referencing. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the times" when a more specific time frame or situation is needed. For example, if referring to economic hardship, use "despite the economic hardship" rather than the more generic "despite the times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the times" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a concessive element to a sentence. It indicates that something is true or persists even when considering the challenges or characteristics of the current era. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the times" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrasting or concessive element, indicating that something holds true regardless of the present era or conditions. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, its usage frequency is rare. The phrase commonly appears in news, media, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensuring the context clearly defines the era you reference. Consider alternative phrases if a more precise time frame is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of the era

Emphasizes that something holds true no matter the specific period or age.

notwithstanding the period

A more formal way to express that something is true despite a specific time.

even with the current climate

Focuses on the present conditions, suggesting something persists despite them.

in spite of the age

Highlights that something exists or occurs, although it is during a particular time.

irrespective of the years

Indicates that the passing of time does not affect something.

despite the present day

Draws attention to the fact that something still applies even in today's world.

though the times may be

Acknowledges that the times may be a certain way, but something else still holds true.

even in this day and age

Emphasizes the contemporary nature of the situation, highlighting something's relevance or persistence.

while the world is

Suggests something persists or occurs as the world undergoes changes or experiences certain events.

in defiance of the age

Implies a stronger sense of resistance or contradiction to the characteristics of a particular era.

FAQs

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

You can use "despite the times" to show that something remains true or happens regardless of the current circumstances or a particular era. For example, "Despite the times, traditions often provide comfort and continuity".

What's a more formal way to say "despite the times"?

A more formal way to phrase it might be "notwithstanding the current era" or "irrespective of the prevailing circumstances".

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

The phrases "despite the times" and "in spite of the times" are generally interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both indicate that something occurs or is true even when considering the current period or situation.

Can "despite the times" refer to personal difficulties?

While typically used for broader societal or cultural contexts, "despite the times" can also refer to personal hardships, implying resilience and perseverance. However, it's often clearer to specify the personal challenges directly.