despite trying

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite trying" is an acceptable phrase that is usable in written English.
It can be used when talking about an attempt or effort that was made but did not have the desired outcome. For example, "Despite trying her best, she still failed the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The paychecks come despite trying times on Wall Street.

The New York Times

"Despite trying," he wrote, "I could not separate India from Pakistan, and Pakistan from India".

The New Yorker

He did not play in the N.F.L. this season, despite trying out for several teams.

The New Yorker

Despite trying to slow the tempo, the Knicks faltered on defense in the final six minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

We certainly haven't cracked it yet, despite trying very hard with a well-established brand".

The Guardian - Tech

At the time we didn't, despite trying to be clever about other people's situations.

The Guardian - Film

Despite trying to settle with HMRC Michael's been rebuffed on several occasions.

The Guardian

She smoked her entire life despite trying to quit numerous times.

The Guardian

Rarely did the development and humanitarian teams work together; despite trying to solve the same problems.

The Guardian

Despite trying, no president receives enough information from all sides of a debate, economic or otherwise.

The New York Times

It was alleged that Martin had been verbally and physically abused, despite trying to befriend his tormentors.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite trying", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the effort was directed towards and what the result was. This avoids ambiguity and provides a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using "despite trying" when the effort wasn't genuinely made or was minimal. "Despite" implies a real attempt to overcome an obstacle, so ensure your use of the phrase accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite trying" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, introducing a contrast between an action and its expected or desired result. Ludwig examples show it setting up a situation where effort was exerted, yet the outcome remained unchanged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite trying" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast between effort and outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. While alternatives exist to fine-tune meaning or formality, using "despite trying" effectively communicates acknowledgment of effort alongside the reality of a contrary result. Remember to avoid the incorrect form "despite of trying" and ensure the sentence structure clearly conveys both the effort and the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even after attempting

Emphasizes the sequence of events: the attempt came first, then the result.

in spite of striving

Highlights the effort and struggle involved.

notwithstanding the effort

A more formal way to express the same idea.

regardless of attempting

Focuses on the lack of impact the attempt had.

even though one tried

Introduces a clause emphasizing the failed attempt.

though efforts were made

Passive voice construction, focusing on the efforts themselves.

despite all endeavors

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the attempts made.

for all one's efforts

Highlights the possessive aspect of the efforts exerted.

after giving it a shot

More informal and colloquial way of expressing an attempt.

in defiance of all attempts

Highlights the resistance or opposition faced during the attempt.

FAQs

What does "despite trying" mean?

The phrase "despite trying" means that something happened or is true even though someone made an effort to prevent it or achieve a different outcome. It acknowledges the attempt but emphasizes the result regardless of that effort.

How can I use "despite trying" in a sentence?

You can use "despite trying" to show that an effort was made, but it didn't change the outcome. For example, "Despite trying to study, she failed the exam" or "Despite trying to fix it, the car still wouldn't start".

What are some alternatives to "despite trying"?

Alternatives to "despite trying" include "even after attempting", "in spite of striving", or ""notwithstanding the effort depending on the desired formality and context"".

Is "despite of trying" grammatically correct?

No, "despite of trying" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "despite trying". The word "despite" already includes the meaning of "in spite of", so adding "of" is redundant.