despite what was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite what was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or contradiction to a previous statement or situation that has occurred. Example: "Despite what was said during the meeting, the project will continue as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A desire to build something great, despite what was happening in the rest of the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And despite what was done to him, Mrs. Mobley said, "I have not spent one minute hating".

The New York Times

But, she added, despite what was a difficult decision and a potential public relations nightmare, "the show goes on".

The New York Times

Jung was too good in the end, despite what was by his standards a poor dressage phase.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite what was saved, Ms. Baker, Basra's chief librarian for 14 years, mourns what was left behind.

The New York Times

Despite what was at stake in the courtroom, Rakoff was at times playful, addressing both sides at the beginning of the hearing by saying, "Welcome to my ballpark".

The New York Times - Sports

In Lovie Smith's first game in charge of Tampa, the Bucs did enough to give themselves a chance of winning, despite what was otherwise a messy performance throughout.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Despite what is often reported, new mothers don't "opt out" of work.

Harvard University

But Mr Blair, despite what is sometimes said, is not Mrs Thatcher.

The Economist

Despite what is often said, no economic law dictates that a common currency must have a common fiscal policy.

The Economist

Despite what is said about it being a mile-a-minute grower, mine hasn't been very fast at all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite what was", ensure the subsequent clause clearly contrasts with or seems unexpected given the information alluded to in the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "despite what was" if the 'what' is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure the reader can easily identify the event or statement being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite what was" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause expressing contrast or concession. It indicates that something is true or occurred, regardless of a previous event or statement. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite what was" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast or concession, indicating that a prior event or statement does not alter the current situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the 'what' being referenced is clear and that the subsequent clause provides a meaningful contrast. Alternative phrases like "regardless of what occurred" and "notwithstanding what happened" can offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Therefore, "despite what was" provides a strong option for constructing effective and meaningful sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of what occurred

Replaces "despite" with "regardless of", emphasizing the lack of influence from the past event.

notwithstanding what happened

Uses "notwithstanding" for a more formal tone, indicating that the past event does not change the current situation.

in spite of what transpired

Employs "in spite of" and "transpired" for a slightly more dramatic or formal effect.

even with what took place

Uses "even with" to highlight the presence of the past event as a factor, yet not a deterrent.

irrespective of the events

Replaces "what was" with a more concise "the events", focusing on the general occurrence.

although something happened

Uses "although" to directly introduce a contrasting element after acknowledging an event.

even if something occurred

Similar to "although", but emphasizes a hypothetical scenario where the event happened.

however that may be

Presents a more detached acknowledgement of a prior circumstance before introducing a contrast.

with no regard to what went on

Expresses a complete disregard for the past events, focusing solely on the present or future.

disregarding the preceding events

Similar to "with no regard", but uses a more concise and direct phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "despite what was" in a sentence?

Use "despite what was" to introduce a statement that contrasts with something that happened before. For example, "Despite what was said, the project continued."

What are some alternatives to "despite what was"?

You can use alternatives like "regardless of what occurred", "in spite of what transpired", or "notwithstanding what happened" depending on the context.

Is "despite what was" formal or informal?

"Despite what was" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives like "notwithstanding what happened" might sound more formal.

What's the difference between "despite what was" and "although"?

"Despite what was" refers specifically to a prior event or statement, while "although" introduces a contrasting idea more generally. You can use "although something happened", but this is a different phrase than the original query.