despite their differences

USAGE SUMMARY

'despite their differences' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or more things that have differences, but still have something in common. For example: "Despite their differences in background and opinion, the two friends remain close."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite their differences, it's not hard to see why.

The Guardian - Opinion

They even managed to remain friends despite their differences.

The New York Times - Books

Despite their differences, she and he eventually fall in love.

The New York Times - Books

Despite their differences, a strong mutual respect exists.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite their differences, all three groups remain loosely linked.

The Washington Post

Despite their differences, the four carry out joint operations.

The Economist

Despite their differences, the parties all played the same game.

The New York Times

Despite their differences, both reflect earnest attempts to capture the literal meaning of the psalms.

Harvard University

Despite their differences, they both believed in the unconscious and its power to motivate human behavior.

The New York Times

But despite their differences, all the units were big on risk and reward.

The New York Times

"They fought together against a common enemy, despite their differences, despite their suspicions, together," he whispers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite their differences" to highlight a surprising connection or unity between seemingly disparate entities. This can add depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the differences you're acknowledging are significant enough to warrant the contrast. Overusing the phrase for minor variations can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite their differences" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that contrasts with a preceding or following statement. It indicates that something is true or possible even though there are differences, as Ludwig AI confirms. This serves to highlight a connection or commonality against a backdrop of dissimilarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

24%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite their differences" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a connection, agreement, or shared characteristic exists despite notable dissimilarities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it serves to highlight unexpected unity or cooperation. To use it effectively, ensure that the differences being acknowledged are significant enough to create a meaningful contrast. Remember, alternatives like "in spite of their dissimilarities" or "regardless of their distinctions" can add variety to your writing, while maintaining semantic accuracy. The phrase is a tool for creating nuance and depth, emphasizing resilience and surprising common ground.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of their dissimilarities

Focuses on the action or outcome happening although differences exist.

regardless of their distinctions

Indicates that something is unaffected by the differences.

even with their disparities

Emphasizes the variations but still acknowledges a form of connection.

despite the contrast between them

Highlights the contrast explicitly before presenting a point of agreement.

notwithstanding their variations

Highlights that something occurs regardless of the dissimilarities.

while acknowledging their differences

Admits to the differences, but transitions to a related or shared quality.

yet they find common ground

Expresses the idea of finding similarities despite the differences.

even considering their contrasts

Brings attention to the contrast, but implies it does not impede the main point.

with all their points of divergence

Acknowledges multiple differences while emphasizing a single, unifying point.

although they diverge

Directly points out the divergence before connecting it to a unifying aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "despite their differences" in a sentence?

You can use "despite their differences" to show how two or more things are similar or can work together, even though they have differences. For example: "Despite their differences, the team members collaborated effectively".

What are some alternatives to "despite their differences"?

Some alternatives include "in spite of their dissimilarities", "notwithstanding their variations", or "regardless of their distinctions".

Is it correct to say "in spite of their differences" instead of "despite their differences"?

"In spite of their differences" and "despite their differences" are often used interchangeably and are both grammatically correct. The choice between them is usually a matter of personal preference.

What's the difference between "despite their differences" and "although they are different"?

"Despite their differences" emphasizes that something happens or is true even though differences exist, highlighting a contrast. "Although they are different" simply acknowledges the differences without necessarily implying a contrast or surprising outcome.