despite their years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite their years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or happens regardless of the age or experience of the subjects being referred to. Example: "Despite their years of experience, they still faced challenges in adapting to the new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Objects that are beautiful but work well generate appreciation despite their years — like a Barcelona chair or a Saarinen table.

The New York Times - Style

South Africa does not exactly offer a welcoming face to thousands of non-Protestant, non-Afrikaans-or-English-speaking immigrants who, despite their years in Africa, "do not understand the South African way of life".

The Economist

3. His fairy tales were moral lessons, not just fun stories Puss in Boots was meant to inspire young boys to be brave and strong-willed despite their years and small stature.

Independent

And the judges, despite their years, showed that they were well acquainted with the world of file swappers and the digital gadgetry that a ruling against the P2P firms might stymie.The entertainment business has long been susceptible to copyright infringement and it has usually blamed the electronics industry.

The Economist

In the letter, Arnold J. Ludwig and Thomas J. Garry, two Democratic Party loyalists, complained that a fellow lawyer with no party ties froze them out of profitable legal work despite their years of service and dedication to the Democratic organization.

The New York Times

In the letter, two Democratic loyalists, Arnold J. Ludwig and Thomas J. Garry, complained to party officials that a fellow lawyer with no party ties froze them out of profitable legal work overseeing Cypress Hills Cemetery, despite their years of service to the party.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Despite their year of little work, their 11-year marriage seems as solid as their spacious five-bedroom Colonial home.

The New York Times

Four years later, despite their overlapping years at Yale and their work just down Pennsylvania Avenue from each other, President Bush and Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, made contact almost entirely over the airwaves.

The New York Times

Despite their tender years, his children also seem familiar with the different Bradleys.

The Guardian - Sport

Prine noted that, despite their 45 years, many of his earliest songs hold special relevance today.

The Guardian - Music

Despite their advancing years, they have kept up the garden that sustained them through the war.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite their years" to emphasize a positive outcome or achievement that seems unlikely given someone's age or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "despite their years" when the age or experience is actually contributing to the outcome. This phrase is best when age might be seen as a disadvantage, but the subjects overcome it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite their years" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or concession. It modifies a clause, indicating that something occurs in spite of the passage of time or the accumulation of age, challenging expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite their years" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast, emphasizing that age or experience does not hinder a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Its register is neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, although primarily found in news and media. While "despite their years" is less common than some alternatives, it provides a concise way to highlight resilience or continued relevance in the face of age-related challenges. Consider alternative phrases such as "regardless of their age" or "in spite of their age" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of using it when age is truly a factor that could be seen as a limitation, not an advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of their age

Replaces "despite" with "regardless of", focusing on age as the factor being overcome.

in spite of their age

Uses "in spite of" instead of "despite", a direct synonym in this context.

notwithstanding their age

Employs a more formal term, "notwithstanding", to convey the same meaning.

irrespective of their age

Replaces "despite" with "irrespective of", another formal synonym.

even with their years

Switches the focus slightly to acknowledge the years but still imply overcoming them.

their age notwithstanding

Inverts the structure for a more emphatic tone.

although they are old

Simplifies the phrasing to a basic statement of age and concession.

age is no barrier to them

Focuses on the lack of hindrance caused by age.

even though they are experienced

Shifts focus from age to experience level, maintaining the concessive aspect.

they persevered through their years

Highlights perseverance as overcoming the effects of aging.

FAQs

What does "despite their years" mean?

The phrase "despite their years" indicates that something is true or happens regardless of someone's age, experience, or the challenges that might come with it. It emphasizes overcoming potential limitations related to age.

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

You can use "despite their years" to highlight a positive outcome that is surprising or impressive considering someone's age. For example, "Despite their years, they still managed to win the competition."

Are there alternatives to using "despite their years"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "regardless of their age", "in spite of their age", or "notwithstanding their age" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "despite their years" formal or informal?

The phrase "despite their years" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding their age" might be preferred in highly formal writing.