despite times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite times" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express resilience or perseverance in the face of challenges or difficulties, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "Despite times of hardship, she continued to pursue her dreams."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Despite Times executive editor Dean Baquet defending some of the emails as newsworthy, Times reporter Jeremy Peters said this on MSNBC's Morning Joe: As our lawyers are telling our reporters at the New York Times, we are not to open these emails.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet her mother, despite times when she searched for Liliana, belt in hand, in neighborhood matches that lasted past midnight, supported a strange passion that kept Zapata apart from other girls.

The New York Times

The slogan for the missing woman's rally at Govanhill Baths is "Sink or swim?" It's funny and adventurous, despite times when Maxwell keeps too many narrative plates spinning, and you lose sight of where he's heading.

The Guardian

Fourth, non-state sustainability initiatives can reduce the risk for direct conflict with the state by developing internal capacity for maintaining the relationship at the personal level, despite times of intensified conflict with the state.

Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Despite times of lack, we each have an area of our lives in which we almost always feel abundant.

Huffington Post

When I see the stars at night, I am reminded of the you that shines, despite times of darkness, which have secretly troubled you.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I did run into difficulty, despite time spent in Ireland, but nothing some amusing Google searches couldn't fix.

The New York Times - Books

They are racing from room to room, struggling to provide the best care to each and every patient despite time limitations.

The New York Times

Mr. de Carteret and others described a bond forged on the island among the young children and teenagers that has remained strong despite time and distance.

The New York Times

The rise of the massive open online course, or MOOC, has given curious minds an outlet for learning despite time, space or financial constraints.

The New York Times

Our brains are capable of remarkably stable stimulus representations despite time-varying neural activity.

Current Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the ambiguous phrase "despite times", opt for clearer alternatives like "despite difficult periods" or "in spite of challenges" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "despite times" as a standalone phrase without further context. This can lead to confusion. Instead, specify the nature of the times you are referring to, such as "despite challenging economic times" or "despite turbulent times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite times" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrasting element. While Ludwig suggests this usage, it's important to note that it's less common and can be ambiguous. Clearer alternatives may be preferable for better communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "despite times" appears in various sources, it's not considered a standard or grammatically precise expression in English. Ludwig highlights that the phrase functions as a prepositional phrase aimed at conveying resilience amidst challenges. However, due to its potential for ambiguity and relatively uncommon usage, it's generally advisable to opt for clearer and more specific alternatives such as "despite difficult periods" or "in spite of challenges" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of difficult periods

Replaces "despite" with "in spite of" and uses "difficult periods" instead of "times" for clarity.

regardless of challenging circumstances

Substitutes "despite" with "regardless of" and uses "challenging circumstances" to denote difficult situations.

despite hardships

Replaces "times" with the more direct term "hardships".

even during hard times

Emphasizes the continuation of something "even during" difficult "times".

notwithstanding difficult periods

Replaces "despite" with the more formal "notwithstanding", maintaining a similar meaning.

through trying times

Focuses on enduring "through" difficult "times", highlighting resilience.

in the face of adversity

Uses a more general term, "adversity", to represent difficult situations.

when faced with challenges

Highlights the act of confronting "challenges" directly.

against all odds

Implies overcoming seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

under adverse conditions

Emphasizes that something happens "under" negative circumstances.

FAQs

What does "despite times" mean?

The phrase "despite times" is not a standard or clear expression in English. It is typically used to convey the idea of continuing or succeeding even when facing difficulties or challenges, but it is not grammatically precise. Clearer alternatives include "despite difficult periods" or "in spite of challenges".

What can I say instead of "despite times"?

You can use alternatives like "in spite of difficult periods", "regardless of challenging circumstances", or "even during hard times" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "despite of times"?

No, "despite of times" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "despite times" or, for better clarity, "in spite of difficult times". The preposition "of" is not needed after "despite".

How can I use "despite" in a sentence?

You can use "despite" to show contrast or contradiction. For example, "Despite the rain, we enjoyed the picnic" or "Despite the challenges, they persevered".